Chief Executive Officer Barry Irwin announced on Tuesday that Team Valor International has hired Baltimore-based lawyer Frederick Heyman.
The 62-year-old racing industry veteran has been named president of the Florida-based Limited Liability Company.
“I plan to spend more time each summer and fall abroad, where we source most of our stock. I want to focus on the stable in Ireland, England and Europe. Being able to eyeball what we buy is an advantage,” Irwin explained.
“Running a stable domestically and internationally makes prospecting abroad difficult. Having Fred on board will free me up to do what I do best. Fred initially will learn the administrative ropes of TVI, gradually take over operating the domestic branch of our international stable and eventually move into a role as my successor.
“Fred has tangentially been associated with our company for the past few years. As I’ve gotten to know him, I have gained a lot of confidence in his ability both as an administrator, liaison with our racing partners and as a horseman. He is a great fit, the clients really have taken to him, as have the staff.”
Heyman grew up in greater Baltimore, was a high school All American wide receiver, and graduated cum laude with a degree in political science from the University of Maryland.
After graduating from Temple University School of Law 1987, where he was awarded the William R. Spofford Scholarship for outstanding legal scholarship, he practiced law.
In the racing industry, he managed the racing and Marathon Farm’s operations of the late Baltimore Orioles’ owner Peter Angelos and sat on the board of Fair Hill training center.
He has formed racing partnerships and managed stakes-winning runners in the Mid-Atlantic.
He also worked privately as a consultant to owners and breeders in acquiring racing and breeding stock, both privately and at public auction.
Irwin stressed that he has no plans to step back or retire.
“Look: there are things I can do abroad that will help our operation. But I need help on the domestic front and Fred can provide it,” he said.
“It is a bonus that when I do decide to step back, I know that I have selected a fellow capable of continuing our operation.”
Irwin twice weekly generates about 20 to 25 pages of original content in the well-received in-house publication named the Insiders’ Bulletin. Heyman will contribute to that, thereby relieving Irwin of the obligation to turn out the publication by himself.