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Team Valor International’s U. S. S. Valor earned an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Juvenile (G1) via his 6 1/2-length win in Saturday’s Champagne (G1) at Belmont Park but will bypass the $2-million race Oct. 30 at Keeneland, according to a post by Team Valor on X.
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The X post stated that the War of Will colt came out of the one-mile race unscathed and that trainer Shug McGaughey and Team Valor principal Barry Irwin have decided to skip the Breeders’ Cup. Irwin said he is leaving U. S. S. Valor’s preparation and racing schedule leading up to the 2027 Kentucky Derby (G1) up to McGaughey. The trainer sent out Orb to win the 2013 Run for the Roses.
Team Valor celebrated victory in the 2011 Derby with homebred Animal Kingdom, who was trained by Graham Motion.
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U. S. S. Valor earned 10 qualifying points for the 2007 Derby with his victory in the Champagne, a race in the Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying series. The Champagne has produced 23 Kentucky Derby winners between 1892 and 2010, the most of which occurring since the race was lengthened to its one-mile distance in 1940.
A Team Valor homebred, U. S. S. Valor is out of the Tiz Wonderful mare Spangled Banner. He has two wins and a third from three career starts and earnings of $352,050.
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Announcement on future of U.S.S. Valor#teamvalorpic.twitter.com/X1eSNGFxIp
— Team Valor (@TeamValor) October 4, 2026
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This story was originally published October 4, 2026 at 11:01 AM.