Barry Irwin of Team Valor International has announced the retirement of graded stakes winner Wakanaka. The 6-year-old mare concludes her racing career with impressive earnings of $914,075. She was co-owned with Gary Barber and had 23 starts. She won eight times, finished second six times, and came in third twice.
In Italy, Irwin discovered Wakanaka, bred by Jean Brennan and sired by the 2012 Irish Two Thousand Guineas winner Power. She marked her prowess by winning the 2021 Italian One Thousand Guineas. Then, she moved to the United States to join trainer Bill Mott's stable.
Wakanaka made her U.S. debut at Gulfstream Park. She finished sixth in the 2022 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes. She contended against the future champion, Regal Glory. Her American journey included notable performances. She finished second in the 2022 Just a Game Stakes at Belmont Park. In Italian, a future four-time grade 1 winner raced ahead of her. And she placed behind Regal Glory.
She won her first North American race in the 2022 Dance Smartly Stakes at Woodbine. She triumphed over the later two-time grade 1 winner Fev Rover. Wakanaka is now transitioning to her next chapter as a broodmare in Kentucky. She leaves behind a legacy of competitive spirit and remarkable achievements on the track.