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Animal Kingdom Bids for History at Royal Meet

United States-based star Animal Kingdom appears poised to solidify his place among racing's all-time greats June 18 in the Queen Anne Stakes (Eng-I), the first race on opening day at Royal Ascot.

Animal Kingdom in Final Queen Anne Workout

In what is expected to be the last workout of his career, Animal Kingdom breezed five furlongs in 1:03 with his dedicated workmate over the uphill Polytrack surface near David Lanigan's yard in Lambourn, England on June 12.

Cerro Gets Key Win for Mettee, Team Valor

Odds-on favorite Cerro (IRE) gave trainer Rick Mettee his first win as the conditioner for Team Valor International when he was all out to land the $75,000 Canonero II Stakes June 1 at Pimlico Race Course.

Dettori on First Cornerstone in French Derby

Jockey Frankie Dettori, cleared by France Galop to resume his career, has been named to ride Team Valor International's group II winner First Cornerstone in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Fr-I) at Chantilly June 2.

Cerro Favored Over Five in Canonero II

Team Valor International's Cerro is the overwhelming favorite to win Pimlico Race Course's final stakes race of the spring meeting, the $100,000 Canonero II for 3-year olds June 1.

Pure Fun, Cerro Head Coolmore Lexington

The April 20 Coolmore Lexington (gr. III) offers 20 points and a potential place in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) starting gate, but not all contenders in the last-minute prep will aim for the first Saturday in May.

Howe Great Wins at Keeneland; Turallure 6th

Howe Great, the 2012 Palm Beach Stakes (gr. IIIT) victor whose last win came in the July 21 Jersey Derby at Monmouth, took a strong Keeneland allowance race April 6 in which 2011 Woodbine Mile winner Turallure ran sixth.

Mettee Replaces Motion as Team Valor Trainer

Team Valor International has hired Rick Mettee to train all of its North American-based racehorses, replacing Graham Motion, the partnership group announced April 5.

Darley Acquires Interest in Animal Kingdom

Darley has acquired a 29% interest in Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Animal Kingdom, Arrowfield Stud and Team Valor International announced April 3.

Dubai WC: John Messara - Animal Kingdom

John Messara, part owner of Animal Kingdom, talks about Animal Kingdom's victory in the Dubai World Cup.

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Derby Hero Animal Kingdom Rules World Cup

The drought for America in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) came to an end March 30 when champion Animal Kingdom burst clear in the homestretch for a spectacular score at Meydan Racecourse.

Animal Kingdom Draws Post 12 in World Cup

Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), drew post 12 of 13 when the field was drawn March 27 for the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) at Meydan March 30.

Crop Report Takes Rushaway for Race Sponsor

Team Valor International's Crop Report, third in his United States debut in February, found the Polytrack at Turfway Park to his liking with a last-to-first victory in the $75,000 Team Valor Rushaway Stakes March 23.

Rushaway is Crop Report's Last Derby Chance

Team Valor is sponsoring the $75,000 Rushaway Stakes at Turfway March 23, and as fate would have it, it will also use the race as a last-ditch effort to get highly-regarded Crop Report to a Kentucky Derby prep.

Went the Day Well to Undergo Tieback Surgery

Team Valor International's Went the Day Well, winner of the 2012 Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes (gr. III) and fourth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), will undergo a tie-back operation in Versailles, Ky.

Rosario to Ride Animal Kingdom in Dubai

Trainer Graham Motion confirmed March 13 that Joel Rosario will have the return mount aboard Animal Kingdom in the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I).

Went the Day Well Returns to Action March 3

Went the Day Well, winner of the 2012 Spiral Stakes (gr. III) and fourth after traffic trouble in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), returns March 3 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Animal Kingdom vs. Point of Entry in GP Turf

Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom will take on top turf contender Point of Entry in the $300,000 Kitten's Joy Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (gr. IT) on Feb. 9.

Team Valor to Sponsor Rushaway at Turfway

A sponsorship from Team Valor International will allow Turfway Park to restore the Rushaway Stakes to its Sprial Stakes (gr. III) undercard.

Animal Kingdom on Course for 2013 Campaign

Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), turned in his final work of 2012 Dec. 28 at Palm Meadows Training Center under the supervision of trainer Graham Motion.

Animal Kingdom to Stand in Australia in 2013

A majority interest in the breeding rights of champion Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), has been acquired by John Messara's Australia-based Arrowfield Stud.

Writing Award Prize Benefits RMTC

The $25,000 prize intended for three New York Times writers will instead benefit drug testing programs. The newspaper's editorial ethics policy prohibits the writers from accepting the award.

Animal Kingdom Has Workmanlike Drill

On a cool morning Oct. 26 at Keeneland, 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom turned in a workmanlike breeze preparing for his upcoming start in the Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park.

Animal Kingdom Arrives at Keeneland

Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), returned to Keeneland Oct. 22 from his home base at Fair Hill, Md., to continue preparations for a Nov. 3 run at the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Animal Kingdom to Return in BC Mile

Animal Kingdom is expected to return in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park Nov. 3, Team Valor International announced Oct. 2.

Pucker Up Draws Full Field of Twelve

A full field of 12 grass-favoring sophomore fillies, topped by Virginia Oaks (gr. IIIT) winner Volcat and Italian transplant Angegreen, will line up Sept. 15 for the $175,000 Pucker Up Stakes at Arlington Park.

Ramseys National Owner, Breeder for 2011

Ken and Sarah Ramsey were named National Owner of the Year and National Breeder of the Year Sept. 7 during the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association national awards dinner held at Keeneland in Lexington.

New Team Valor Partnership to Help Charity

Team Valor International has established a new partnership that will designate a portion of the race earnings from the juvenile filly Tuttipaesi to the Susan G. Komen For the Cure charity.

Went the Day Well Out for the Year

Spiral Stakes winner is sidelined with bone bruising likely suffered in Preakness.

Hemingway Joins Team Valor

Michelle Whitaker Hemingway, 28, formerly an assistant trainer in South Africa, has been hired by Team Valor International.

Pluck to Stand at Vinery Australia

Vinery Australia announced May 11 that it has added the brilliant 2010 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IIT) winner Pluck to its stallion roster for the 2012 breeding season.

Three Owners Going For Derby Double

Only a dozen owners have won multiple Kentucky Derbys, and this year three owners have a chance to join that most exclusive club.

Irwin Shoots For Derby Repeat

Team Valor International shoots for second consecutive Kentucky Derby win, this year with Went the Day Well.

Went The Day Well Breezes at Rainy Keeneland

In a move akin to that of Animal Kingdom a year ago, Team Valor International and Mark Ford's Went the Day Well breezed in wet, rainy conditions at Keeneland April 21.

All's 'Well' in Spiral for Team Valor, Motion

Went the Day Well did a good imitation of Animal Kingdom when he easily won the $500,000 Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes (gr. III) at Turfway Park March 24, giving Team Valor International consecutive victories in the race.

Stress Fracture Sidelines Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom underwent a nuclear scan March 13 at Palm Beach Equine Medical Center, which revealed the start of a stress fracture in his hind end. The injury will not require surgery.

Animal Kingdom Injured; Won't Make World Cup

Two days after 3-year-old male champion Animal Kingdom breezed five furlongs on the turf at Palm Meadows Training Center, his trip to the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) March 31 has been scrapped.

Howe Great Shows He'll Rate in Palm Beach Win

Howe Great, a turf horse for now, held off Dullahan by one length to win the $150,000 Palm Beach Stakes (gr. IIIT) as the 3-5 favorite on the Gulfstream Park lawn March 11.

Animal Kingdom in Easy Turf Workout

Team Valor International's Animal Kingdom worked an easy five-eighths of a mile on turf in 1:04 4/5 at Palm Meadows Training Center March 10 as he preps for the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) on March 31.

Team Valor, Santulli Buy Uruguayan Champion

Team Valor International and Richard Santulli have purchased Uruguayan champion miler Brujo de Olleros and will import the 4-year-old son of Wild Event from Uruguay Feb. 20.

Animal Kingdom Works Toward 2012 Debut

Animal Kingdom, the champion 3-year-old male of 2011, continued to progress toward his 2012 debut by breezing five furlongs on turf in a quick :59 4/5 Jan. 25 at Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida.

Howe Great Caps Big Week for Connections

Howe Great registered a front-running victory in the $100,000 Kitten's Joy Stakes to cap a big week for Team Valor International and trainer Graham Motion, who also started runner-up Lucky Chappy at Gulfstream Park Jan. 21.

Animal Kingdom Works Day After Eclipse Win

Animal Kingdom worked an easy half mile on turf in :53.44 at Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida Jan. 17. Toby's Corner also worked.

Animal Kingdom, Toby's Corner Work Half-Mile

Graham Motion trainees Animal Kingdom and Toby's Corner worked in company Jan. 8 at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland.

Animal Kingdom Has First Work at Fair Hill

Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), had his first workout Dec. 24 since being sidelined in late spring.

Team Valor Institutes Turf Writing Award

Team Valor International has announced it will institute an annual Turf writing contest in honor of the late Stan Bergstein that will award $25,000 to the winner.

Team Valor Seeks Another BC Juvenile Turf Win

Team Valor International will fire two shots in a bid to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IT) for the second straight year. State of Play and Lucky Chappy will represent the stable.

State of Play Stays On in With Anticipation

Handled with confidence by Ramon Dominguez, front-running State of Play repelled the onrushing Optimizer to win the $151,000 With Anticipation Stakes (gr. IIT) on the Saratoga turf Sept. 1.

Daveron Takes Ballston Spa for Third Straight

Under a patient ride form Eddie Castro, Daveron swept past the leaders in the stretch to capture the $200,000 Ballston Spa Stakes (gr. IIT) for her third consecutive victory Aug. 27 on the Saratoga turf.

Summer Soiree Survives Del Mar Oaks Assault

Summer Soiree went west in pursuit of her first grade I victory and the favorite had just enough left in the final jumps to nip fast-closing Star Billing and Nereid in the the $250,000 Del Mar Oaks Aug. 20.