Four Wins in Four Countries Cap Magical Team Valor Week

Team Valor International belted a grand slam March 30-April 6, taking home four stakes victories in four different countries across three continents. Better yet, the wins came in consecutive stakes appearances for the ownership group.

"It's like you're out playing golf and, all of a sudden, every shot's a winner," said Team Valor founder and CEO Barry Irwin.

Team Valor's big week started March 30 as Facteur Cheval  returned from a five-month layoff to upset the field in the Dubai Turf (G1T) at Meydan Racecourse. Not only was it the 5-year-old Ribchester  gelding's first group 1 score, but it was also his first victory since October 2022.

"(Facteur Cheval) had been placed for four group 1s in a row without winning; you just kind of feel like you're snake bit," Irwin said. "Then when you finally get over the hump, then here come a couple more."

The celebration in the winner's circle hadn't calmed down yet before Team Valor had another reason to keep the party going. Twenty minutes after Facteur Cheval had pulled the upset, his long-distance stablemate Easy  was ready to do the same in the listed Cork Stakes at Cork Racecourse in Ireland, living up to her name with a 1 1/4-length victory.

"Most of our partners never even watched the second," Irwin said. Both Facteur Cheval and Easy are co-owned by Gary Barber. "(Gary) forgot to watch it because he was still celebrating the big one. It was pretty hectic."

Irwin didn't know what to expect from Easy as it was her first start in 18 months after missing time with knee surgery. However, her trainer Andrew Slattery Sr. had enough confidence for them both.

"(Slattery Sr.) was very patient," Irwin said. "He was really confident, but I've heard a lot of stories in my life and I just wait to see what actually happens. He nailed it. He was right on the money with that one."

High off their success in Europe, Team Valor set their sights on North America where they made a last-minute call to supplement Nadette  into the Wilshire Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park when it was pushed from March 30 to April 4 due to rain.

Nadette stormed up the inside rail to impressively notch her first win in the United States in her 10th attempt. She had been close a couple of times, but Irwin said he felt relieved to finally get that first stateside win in a dominant performance that caught him by surprise.

"Where that race came from, I have no idea," Irwin said. "She was in season. Usually, trainers don't like that—they shy away from being bullish about that—but whatever got into this filly, it was amazing."

While Nadette was preparing for her run in the Wilshire, Irwin kept himself busy by purchasing a promising South African-bred filly, Frances Ethel, April 1. April 6, she capped a perfect 4-for-4 week for Team Valor by winning the South Africa Oaks (G2).

Irwin was interested in the daughter of Rafeef after she ran second on debut before winning each of her next three starts.

"What I liked about her was in her three wins, she looked like she had no chance with about a furlong and a half to go," Irwin said. "She got up and won by daylight each time. When they win like that, you never know how much is left in the tank, so that's what encouraged me to do that."

Irwin has had success in the past with taking South African fillies and mares to compete internationally, like Irridescence . A group 1 winner in her home country, Irridescence traveled to Hong Kong to win the 2006 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) and placed in both the 2007 Falmouth Stakes (G1) at Newmarket and Beverly D. Stakes (G1T) at Arlington Park.

Irwin, who grew up in California, says he likes the South African racing industry because it reminds him of his home state that, like South Africa, doesn't get the top stallions but provides a great location to raise a horse.

"What made the California breeding industry so good at its height was the animal husbandry and the ability of the climate to produce a good horse," Irwin said. "Horses that are bred in California look good. They have advantages there with the feed, the soil, and the climate. You can raise a good horse there.

"In South Africa, it's the same thing. You get horses with good bone. They're tough, they're raised outdoors. I trust the product down there and have enjoyed considerable success."

As one amazing week came to an end, another week had to begin. With the new week came the end of the winning streak April 7. However, there was no shame in defeat as Mansa Musa  produced a solid performance in his U.S. debut, finishing second by a neck in the Palisades Stakes at Keeneland.

After breaking poorly and getting squeezed, the 3-year-old colt carried the hopes of a fifth consecutive stakes win on his back as he rallied up the rail to take the lead late, but was caught on the wire by Fandom .

"He ran a winning race. He used himself too much to get where he needed to be and he was vulnerable in the closing strides," Irwin said. "I think he is a legit 3-year-old sprinter. He should have a very good year."

It's not just Mansa Musa—it looks like Team Valor is positioned to have a very good year themselves should they have more weeks like this one all across the world.

"It's one of those magical things I've learned to appreciate the heck out of because stuff like this doesn't happen all the time," Irwin said.