Barry Irwin
Encyclopedia
Barry Howard Irwin is the owner of the Thoroughbred
horse racing
stable of Team Valor International
in Versailles, Kentucky
. He is the owner and breeder of the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner, Animal Kingdom, and the Breeders' Cup winner Pluck.
In 1988 Irwin founded Clover Racing Stable, which became Team Valor
when a partner in Clover Racing opted out. In 2007 Barry Irwin bought out long-time partner and friend Jeff Siegel and became the sole proprietor of the stable. At that time, because of the changing focus toward foreign racing and foreign thoroughbred acquisitions, Irwin changed the name of the stable to Team Valor International.
The nickname given him by some friends has stuck and Barry Irwin is known among his clients as “B Eye,” using his initials to refer to his uncanny ability that has gained him “legendary” status in ferreting out talent from some of the most unlikely venues the world has to offer.
In 2004, 2005 and 2006, Irwin purchased yearling horses at public auction
which later went on to win Grade 1 races.
Irwin is a founding director with the equine-related charity "Race for Education," which raises money to provide college scholarships to the offspring of backstretch and farm workers. One percent of the purse money earned by Team Valor horses (with a matching amount from Irwin) goes to the Race for Education to provide these much-needed scholarships. In 2006, Irwin became the organization’s inaugural recipient of the “Valedictorian Award.”
In 2002, Irwin had his story about his favorite racehorse, Swaps
, published by Eclipse Press as part of its biographical series of legendary racehorses.
In 2011, Irwin's horse, Animal Kingdom
, won the 137th Kentucky Derby
.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
stable of Team Valor International
Team Valor
Team Valor Stable LLC is an American Thoroughbred horse racing stable based in Versailles, Kentucky. It was founded by Barry Irwin and Jeff Siegel who create partnerships with racing enthusiasts to race Thoroughbred horses at major racing venues, primarily in North America.In early July 2007,...
in Versailles, Kentucky
Versailles, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,511 people, 3,160 households, and 2,110 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,330 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 88.18% White, 8.67% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.35%...
. He is the owner and breeder of the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner, Animal Kingdom, and the Breeders' Cup winner Pluck.
Career
Interested in racehorses from a very early age, 1969 Irwin became a staff writer for The Blood-Horse magazine in Kentucky. Over the next decade, he also worked as the editor of The Thoroughbred of California, and was a syndicated columnist for southern California in The Daily Racing Form. He hosted a twice-weekly, two-hour radio program, as well as a weekly, one-hour television show. Irwin left the Form at the close of the 1978 Del Mar meet to become a bloodstock agent. For the next decade, Irwin bred, raced, syndicated, bought, and sold several hundred horses, including It's the One, African Sky, Moscow Ballet and Torsion.In 1988 Irwin founded Clover Racing Stable, which became Team Valor
Team Valor
Team Valor Stable LLC is an American Thoroughbred horse racing stable based in Versailles, Kentucky. It was founded by Barry Irwin and Jeff Siegel who create partnerships with racing enthusiasts to race Thoroughbred horses at major racing venues, primarily in North America.In early July 2007,...
when a partner in Clover Racing opted out. In 2007 Barry Irwin bought out long-time partner and friend Jeff Siegel and became the sole proprietor of the stable. At that time, because of the changing focus toward foreign racing and foreign thoroughbred acquisitions, Irwin changed the name of the stable to Team Valor International.
The nickname given him by some friends has stuck and Barry Irwin is known among his clients as “B Eye,” using his initials to refer to his uncanny ability that has gained him “legendary” status in ferreting out talent from some of the most unlikely venues the world has to offer.
In 2004, 2005 and 2006, Irwin purchased yearling horses at public auction
Public auction
A public auction is an auction held on behalf of a government in which the property to be auctioned is either property owned by the government, or property which is sold under the authority of a court of law or a government agency with similar authority....
which later went on to win Grade 1 races.
Irwin is a founding director with the equine-related charity "Race for Education," which raises money to provide college scholarships to the offspring of backstretch and farm workers. One percent of the purse money earned by Team Valor horses (with a matching amount from Irwin) goes to the Race for Education to provide these much-needed scholarships. In 2006, Irwin became the organization’s inaugural recipient of the “Valedictorian Award.”
In 2002, Irwin had his story about his favorite racehorse, Swaps
Swaps (horse)
Swaps was a California bred American thoroughbred racehorse. He was the son of Khaled, a stallion imported from the Aga Khan's stud in Europe. Swaps goes back to the immortal Man o' War, via his dam, Iron Reward, through the Triple Crown winner, War Admiral. In the list of the top 100 U.S...
, published by Eclipse Press as part of its biographical series of legendary racehorses.
In 2011, Irwin's horse, Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom (horse)
Animal Kingdom by the Brazilian-bred Leroidesanimaux out of the German mare Dalicia is a Thoroughbred race horse, notable for winning the 137th Kentucky Derby. The race was run on May 7, 2011 before a record crowd of 164,858...
, won the 137th Kentucky Derby
2011 Kentucky Derby
The 2011 Kentucky Derby was the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby, on May 7. The race was won by Animal Kingdom, ridden by John Velazquez, trained by H. Graham Motion and owned by Team Valor....
.