Team Valor outlines NYS strategy
BARRY Irwin of the Team Valor International ownership stable will be one of the high-profile buyers at the Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale at Gosforth Park, Germiston, in early April.
The Team Valor website reported this week that Irwin plans to buy a “group of fillies, perhaps one colt”. It added that dollar strength against the rand would help the syndicate “meet its needs” at the sale.
Anyone interested in becoming a Team Valor partner should read up on the stable's policies and conditions on its website (teamvalor.com).
The Emperors Palace sale takes place on Friday, April 3, Sunday, April 4, and Monday, April 5.
The Team Valor website posting in full:
Barry Irwin will attend South Africa’s National Yearling Sale for a fifth consecutive year next month. The program consists of racing the yearlings in South Africa to prove them, then export the best ones to Dubai, Europe and the United States. The success rates have been extremely high and Team Valor looks forward to forming new partnerships this season.
“Because of the relative strength of the dollar and the weakness of the rand,” he explained, “we will not have to spend as many dollars to buy what we want. In fact, to insure that we get the most bounce for our buck, we will lock in an exchange rate on each day that we buy a yearling in the sale.
“Secondly, because of the depressed worldwide economy, prices at the sale figure to soften to a very great extent.
“These two elements should combine to create an environment that will allow us to buy what we want at prices that provide incredible value.”
Irwin said that on the flip side of the coin, South African bloodstock once again has made a great impression on the international racing scene, which theoretically could spur new buyers to come to Johannesburg for the yearling sale. Last year, Irwin received quite bit of competition and actually was outbid for the first time in four years at the sale. With many South African runners poised for top runs at the March 28 World Cup meeting in Dubai, the impetus to attend the yearling sale could be huge.
Prospective partners will have until March 27 to contact Amy Collingsworth (amy@teamvalor.com or 888-434-2677) and commit to a dollar amount they feel comfortable spending.
“We are not going to phone anybody, we are not going to chase up anybody and nobody will receive any information on the yearlings if they do not sign up in advance,” Irwin insists. “My buying pattern will be totally predicated on the dollar commitment we receive before I go to the sale. “Everybody knows that times are difficult and most people have reduced the amount of capital they feel comfortable spending on racing prospects. But the fact remains that buying horses, especially yearlings, in South Africa represents one of the true bargains in the world of horse racing. “Cost of training in South Africa, because of the exchange rate, is the greatest bargain in the English-speaking world. Monthly costs are about $650 per animal including vet and blacksmith.
“Team Valor racing partners are not the only folks that have taken notice of the phenomenal success the company has enjoyed with its purchases in South Africa. I am prepared to put our Team Valor racing partners first in my priority because of the support they have given us over the past four years. But if the amount if not sufficient to warrant a good-sized group of quality animals, I am ready to buy for others and for my own account.”
The financial parameters of the 2009 yearling acquisitions will be the same as last year. Whatever Team Valor spends on the yearlings, it will add 15 percent and earn a bonus of 33 1/3 percent of any profit, after all costs of acquisitions and expenses are fully returned to the investors.
Last year the minimum level of participation was about $12,500. This year Team Valor will set the amount it plans to raise at $487,500 for the fillies and $245,000 for the colt. A total of 65 units at a cost of $7,500 will be raised for the fillies and a total of 20 units at $12,250 will be raised for a colt.
Team Valor will adjust the financial figures to reflect the actual cost of the yearlings when Irwin returns from the sale. But those that commit can rest assured that the cost will not exceed anybody’s pre-sale commitment.
Team Valor has specifically designed the trip to South Africa to incur as little expense as possible. The sales company supplements part of the travel expenses. Additionally, as he did in the first few sales, Barry Irwin will be accompanied by his wife, Kathleen Irwin, who will assist him in inspecting the yearlings, so that Team Valor does not have the expense of an additional employee at the sale.
VAT will be collected on the purchased after the sale and will be kept on hand to fund training expenses of the yearlings when they go into training shortly after the public auction.
Those opting to participate are advised that payment is due for the yearlings within 2 weeks of purchase and the sales company is strict about late fees, so those committing to play must be prepared to fund this enterprise 7 days after the yearling sale, which starts on April 4.
Team Valor is recognized as a leader in selecting, managing and selling South African bloodstock. One need only look at what the stable has been able to accomplish internationally since the start of the current season. Team Valor has already been represented by 3 stakes winners and 4 Graded stakes-placed runners. Russian Sage is the co-highest-ranked older grass runner in the world according to Racing Post. Gypsy’s Warning is the co-highest-ranked 3-year-old filly in South Africa. Joshua’s Mistress and Chiquita have already won stakes this season. On Her Toes (already a Grade 1 winner) and Sweet Theresa are Graded-placed and likely to add to their laurels. And Golden Idol is being prepared for the Grade 1 SA Derby by leading trainer Geoff Woodruff.
The list of accomplished South African horses prospected, raced, managed and sold by Team Valor is a veritable Who’s Who of the Turf on the African continent and includes the following:
* Ipi Tombe, Horse of the Year in Dubai after going unbeaten in 3 races including the Grade 1, $2 million Dubai Duty Free. Topped Tattersalls sale of breeding stock when sold in foal.
* Russian Sage, Champion Colt at 3, after winning the Grade 1 Daily News 2000. Co-top rated older grass runner in the world at present with last year’s Duty Free winner Jay Peg.
* Captain’s Lover, pictured left, Champion Filly at 3, Classic winner of the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas, winner last season in France of a Group 3 and a good fourth in a French Group 1.
* Irridescence, Champion Filly at 3, Grade 1 winner in Hong Kong of the AP Queen Elizabeth II, the Grade 1 Woolavington and the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic. Beaten head in G1 Beverly D. Pictured above winning the QE II.
* Carnadore, Champion Colt at 2, winner of the Grade 1 Golden Medallion Stakes, multiple Graded stakes winner at 2 and 3.
* On Her Toes, Grade 1 winner at 2 of the Allan Robertson Fillies Championship and set for further successes this season at age 3.
* Stratos, Grade 1 winner of the Empress Club Stakes, voted Champion Older Filly or Mare in Johannesburg, multiple Graded stakes winner in South Africa.
* Little Miss Magic, Grade 1 winner at 3 versus older in the Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes. Daughter of leading sire Jet Master is in foal on a February 15 cover to Singspiel in England.
* She’s on Fire, Grade 2 winner, multiple Grade 1-placed, top-rated older filly or mare the last 2 years in Johannesburg. Daughter of leading sire Jet Master.
* Sally Bowles, Classic winner of the Grade 2 KZN Guineas, beaten a nose in Grade 1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship, voted Champion at 2 and 3 in Durban region.
* Jazzy, Grade 2 winner at Belmont Park of the Gallant Bloom Handicap, stakes winner at Saratoga. Previously, she earned quality black type in South Africa, including a Grade 1 place.
* Alexandra Rose, Grade 3 winner at Santa Anita, beaten nose in Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas, placed in stakes in Dubai. In foal in Australia to leading sire Hussonet.
* Tara’s Touch, Grade 3 winner of Royal North Handicap at Woodbine, Giant’s Causeway Stakes at Keeneland, multiple Graded-placed in North America.
* Stately, Grade 3 winner of the Strelitzia Stakes at 2 at Scottsville.
* Warning Zone, winner of $100,000 stakes at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, Grade 1-placed in South Africa.
* Chiquita, unbeaten sprinting at 3 in 2009, including Bauhinia Stakes at Tuffontein.
* Miller Time, beat Russian Sage in the Listed Sophomore Sprint Stakes in Cape Town.
Topic Author
