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First yearlings by Hellbent set to be offered on the Gold Coast
Next month’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale marks the dawning of an exciting new era for Yarraman Park Stud as the first yearlings by their stallion Hellbent (I Am Invincible) will be offered to buyers.
Hellbent was retired to stand alongside his superstar father I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit) after his victory in the William Reid Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) in 2018 and breeders immediately threw their support behind the sire, with him covering 182 mares. He is the best represented stallion among the 21 sires with their first crop yearlings, with 39 of his progeny set to be offered at the Gold Coast sale next month.
Yarraman Park’s Arthur Mitchell told Racing & Sports Bloodstock he is looking forward to seeing how buyers respond to Hellbent’s first-crop of youngsters.
“The Hellbent yearlings so far have been very well received and not just in our draft, but across the board,” said Mitchell.
“To have a big first-season draft in the sale, particularly seeing as we are competing against the Merchant Navys and the Russian Revolutions, is quite good that he has had more yearlings accepted into the sale. We are delighted with what is in the sale and we are delighted with his yearlings.
“They are very similar in temperament to his father’s horses. He has got some very nice yearlings around and he was luckily supported by some of the best breeders in Australia, so we are hoping we just get them sold and into the best stables in Australia to give him every chance.”
Yarraman will offer ten of the stallion’s stock at the Gold Coast sale and Mitchell said he was happy with the youngsters he has seen in other vendors drafts.
“We saw most of the Hellbents as weanlings and we were really happy with what he saw,” said Mitchell. “He is stamping his stock well. There are no chestnuts, same as Vinnie and they have good minds.
“He had a good syndicate so he was well supported and his second crop was equally as good as his first so we have good follow up.”
I Am Invincible has done nothing but enhance his son's stock, with the stallion having already brought up a century winners for the season last week.
“I Am Invincible himself is doing great things this season, with more than 100 winners already and some of his best two-year-olds are now trialling so there is a fair bit more to come,” said Mitchell.
“He has covered another good book of mares and he has come through it well. The season here has been good, after the drought there is a lot of grass, so it has made it a lot more comfortable for everyone in New South Wales.”
This year sale companies throughout the world have been battling the restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Mitchell is confident there is plenty of interest ahead of the auction.
“There has been an enormous amount of interest and we have been busy with parades this week and I’m going to continue going forward,” said Mitchell. “I think the farm inspections have been busier than usual for Magic Millions.
“There is a lot of hype surrounding the catalogue this year and I think with everything that has gone on this year, most people are really just looking forward to getting to the Gold Coast.”
While the industry has been forced to battle the pandemic, Mitchell believes the industry has stepped up to making selling and buying yearlings more accessible.
“The online platforms have started to take off all over the world, at Tattersalls, Goffs and Arqana and as long as you have people on the ground advising you, people are happy to bid online,” said Mitchell.
“I think the vendors have stepped up with good videos and pictures online that gives people confidence as well when they buy online.”
