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| Staff Writer |
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In a bold move that echoes some of their greatest triumphs, Team Valor International have announced plans to run Facteur Cheval in the US$7 million Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar on November 2. The Irish-bred gelding, a Group One winner on turf, will be making his dirt debut in one of the world's most prestigious races.
Facteur Cheval, trained by Jerome Reynier, burst onto the global stage with a gutsy victory in the Gr.1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in March. Now, Team Valor's founder Barry Irwin is eyeing an even bigger prize on America's west coast.
"He's a big strong horse. He looks like an American dirt horse," Irwin said. "He's hardly ever run a bad race. This horse is right there every single time. He's the most consistent horse around."
The son of Ribchester joins a growing list of potential international starters in the 10-furlong Classic, including Epsom Derby hero City of Troy and Japanese sensation Forever Young.
This ambitious surface switch is reminiscent of Team Valor's past successes. Their colt Animal Kingdom famously won the 2011 Gr.1 Kentucky Derby in his first dirt start, while Irwin's previous venture, Clover Racing Stables, saw Prized claim the 1989 Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Turf in his grass debut.
"We do it when we think we have an idea that might work, we don't do it just to be taking a shot," Irwin explained. "You buy a horse because you like it. As you learn more about it, you see the possibilities."
A strong performance in the Classic could open doors to more lucrative dirt targets in 2025, including the US$20 million Saudi Cup and the US$12 million Dubai World Cup.
Since his Dubai triumph, Facteur Cheval has finished sixth in the Gr.1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and third in the Gr.1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Irwin believes the gelding's grinding style is better suited to dirt racing.
"Both my trainer and I fully agreed that a mile on turf that's firm, he can't do it. He doesn't have a turn of foot to kick on like these other horses," Irwin said. "He keeps plugging and grinding. Those kind of horses can do well on the dirt as opposed to the turf."
Team Valor International has long been a force on the global racing stage. Beyond Animal Kingdom's Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup double, they've campaigned Group/Grade One winners across four continents. Notable successes include Pluck in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, Irridescence in Hong Kong, and Captain Bodgit in the Florida Derby.
Bred by McCracken Farms, Facteur Cheval has amassed an impressive record of 6-4-4 from 16 starts, earning US$3,898,825. His consistent performances have seen him place in Group company in France, Ireland, and the UK before his Dubai breakthrough.
As Facteur Cheval prepares for his Classic tilt, all eyes will be on Del Mar come November. Should he emulate Animal Kingdom's surface-switching heroics, it would mark another remarkable chapter in Team Valor's storied international legacy.
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