Team Valor has purchased Uruguayan champion miler Brujo de Olleros.  The Brazilian bred four year-old will arrive in the USA on February 20.

Brujo de Olleros (4c Wild Event – Hit Oil by Roy) won four of his five starts for trainer Ivo Pereira and owner Luiz Fernando Cirne Lima.  His most recent victory was a 14 length victory in the Gran Premio Pedro Pineyrua (1600m) on January 6.

The winning time of 1.33.20s was the fastest mile run on dirt at the Las Maronas racetrack in Montevideo for 75 years.

Team Valor CEO Barry Irwin said the South American import would be set for late summer features at Saratoga.  “We are thrilled to be able to have a horse with such immense talent join our stable,” Irwin said.  “We hope to have him ready in time for the G1 Forego Stakes.”

Brujo de Olleros is the highest rated horses to leave Uruguay since Sheikh Hamdan purchased Invasor (Candy Stripes) in 2005.  He went on to claim USA Horse of the Year honours the following year after a G1 victory over Bernardini in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Irwin also announced Team Valor’s 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom will race first-up in the G3 Tampa Bay Stakes (1700m) on February 25.  The four year-old will then head to Meydan for the G1 Dubai World Cup on March 29.

Animal Kingdom is by Brazilian bred sire Leroidesanimaux and has been sidelined since injuring his near-hind leg in the Belmont Stakes in June.  “He’s raring to go,” Irwin said.  “He is relishing his work and just loves to run.”