Bargain buy Went The Day Well has Barry Irwin’s Team Valor dreaming of a second consecutive Kentucky Derby win following his victory in the Grade 3 Spiral Stakes, the race won last year by Animal Kingdom en route to Churchill Downs.

Barry Irwin of Team Valor International

Pinhooked by Brendan Holland of Grove Stud for $15,000 as a foal at Keeneland November, the New York-bred son of Proud Citizen was resold the next year for 26,000gns at Tattersalls October Book 2. He was bought by Oliver St Lawrence for the LAM Partnership, who raced him in the UK as a juvenile.

Went The Day Well made just two starts at two for trainer Ed McMahon, each time finishing second over a mile. Since switching to the stable of Graham Motion after being bought privately, he has had three runs for two wins and a fourth place finish on his American debut.

His three-and-a-half length victory in the Spiral Stakes, which carried a winner’s purse of $288,300, should ensure a start in the Kentucky Derby on May 5 but he could also have a run in the Grade 3 Coolmore Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 23.