(Edited press release)
Colina Verde has passed Barry Irwin’s physical inspection and trainer Neil Drysdale has given the Brazilian-bred daughter of Know Heights his nod of approval after examining her March 12 after she was released from the Hollywood Park quarantine station in Inglewood, Calif.
The first filly to win the Triple Crown in Brazil since her own third dam Emerald Hill pulled off the trick 29 years earlier, Colina Verde is now safely ensconced in Drysdale’s barn on the Hollywood Park backstretch.
A small syndicate that will campaign Colina Verde is comprised of a 50% share, a 25% share, a 12.5% share, and another share of 12.5% owned by Team Valor.
The undisclosed price represents the single largest amount ever raised for a filly or mare by Team Valor.
"It will take anywhere from four to six months to have the filly ready to run," said Irwin. "The Brazilians have always acclimated best in Southern California, which is why we opted to have her in this locale. Neil has had his share of South American racehorses and knows how to deal with them. He also was Charlie Whittingham’s assistant when the Bald Eagle trained some of his best South American runners. So we feel we are in good hands."
Team Valor and partners hope to have the filly ready for some big races in the late summer or early fall, then perhaps put her on the road, as the new owners want to campaign her internationally.
"She is unquestionably the most exciting filly or mare we’ve had in the barn since Ipi Tombe," Irwin said, referring to the filly that won 12 of 14 races, including the $2 million Dubai Duty Free (UAE-I) for the stable in 2003.