Team Valor International-Living up to it`s name

Team Valor International lived up to its name when Red Dust provided the Kentucky-basedstable with its first winner in its first race in South America.

The 2-year-old broke on top as the favorite and led every step of the 5 ½ furlongs over a sloppy track at Las Maronas racetrack in Uruguay.

The unusually coloured colt was challenged repeatedley by the second choice Belmiro,who put a lot of pressure on Red Dust early and late. It was 9 lengths farther back to the third finisher.


Red Dust has a most unusual coat, with a blanket of white hairs around his girth and over his croup, and featuring what
Texans call a “coon tail” as the base of his tail.


The chestnut winner has a blanket of white hairs around his middle and the pattern carries over his croup. The top of tailbone is covered with a ring of white hairs that Southwestern horseman refer to as a “coon tail.”
Red Dust is trained by Juan Gonzalez, the leading trainer at Las Maronas, and was ridden today by his brother Mario Gonzalez, the circuit’s leading reinsman. Final time was 1:05 4/5. The victory was number 32 for Team Valor this season, which is on pace to break its record of 67 wins established last season. Team Valor this year has won races in North and South America, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Germany and England.





Victor Azambullo, who represents Team Valor International in Uruguay, said “The colt has great heart. He beat a nice horse in Belmiro, who was the danger going into the race. The long-term goal for the colt is the Uruguayan Two Thousand Guineas in September.
“He is in top condition today (Monday) after the race. There is a the Guzman Vargas, a stakes going 6 furlongs, back in 15 days, which is back soon. We will take a look at that race. It is a stakes race, but is really more like a non-winners of one.


Victor Azambullo (left on shank) poses with Red Dust following the debut victory of the colt Sunday afternoon at
Las Maronas racetrack in Uruguay.


“The one prep for the Guineas that we definitely will point to is the Grade 3 El Ensayo over 7 ½ furlongs. Invasor used this as his prep for the Triple Crown.”
Barry Irwin, who bought the colt as a yearling in Uruguay said “He is a fabulous looking colt, both in terms of his unusual coloring and his conformation. He is a real powerhouse.”
Irwin was attracted to the colt because Team Valor and partners race his older brother Aquino, who looked like a potential world beat last summer before he tailed off.
“As for the future with this colt, we will play it by ear. This is a very small partnership. We may opt to bring him to America after a few races. If he pops up, however, and does win the Guineas like a real colt, we have the option of sending him to Dubai to prepare for next season. But right now we are completely playing it by ear.”



Bred in Uruguay by the internationally successful TNT Stud of Goncalo Torrealba, from whom Irwin had bought Leroidesani-maux before he won an Eclipse Award as the top grass runner in North America, Red Dust is a son of an American-bred sire in Dubai Dust and a mare by North American-bred Irish Fighter.
Dubai Dust, a son of Broad Brush, won the Indiana Derby, while Irish Fighter, a son of Irish River, placed in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby.

Good stuff Team Valor and Barry Irwin, keep it up.