The majority of third season sires have had fee reductions for 2020 in light of the pandemic induced economic downturn rather than any perception of their merit as sires and among them is Hellbent, whose first two books of mares have given him a second to none chance to succeed.
In his first two seasons, Hellbent covered 338 mares at a fee of $27,500 and Harry Mitchell believes the Group I winner is well placed to follow in the footsteps of his champion sire I Am Invincible.
“The mares he covered would be stronger than any other stallion that stood at his service fee and a lot better than those covered by his sire when he started off,” said Mitchell, who has received widespread positive feedback on the Hellbent foals from breeders.
“We have been to various farms around NSW and seen some very nice colts and fillies, this gives us great hope for the success of Hellbent going forward.
“They have very similar attributes to the I Am Invincible foals. They are well balanced, athletic and have great temperaments.”
His foals born last year include: A colt from G3 Gosford Belle of the Turf winner Ammirata; a colt from dual Listed SW Anatina; filly from G3 WA Sires Produce winner Camporella; three-quarter brother to multiple G3 winner Eckstein; a half-sister to G3 Gimcrack Stakes winner Every Rose; a filly from SW Devoirs, dam of this season’s SP 2YO Rulership by I Am Invincible; half-sister to G3 Summer Cup winner Montauk from SW Diamond Cove; a filly from SW Express Power; a filly from dual Listed SW Happy Hippy; a colt from G2 winner Longport; a filly from G3 MVRC Tesio Stakes winner Lubiton; a half-brother to G3 SA Sires Produce Stakes winner Flying Jess; half-sister to G2 Edward Manifold Stakes winner Moonlight Maid from G3 winner Manhattan Maid; half-sister to 2020 G2 Blue Diamond Prelude winner Letzbeglam; half-sister to G1 placed SW Soft Sand; half-sister to SW Ragged Rascal from SW M’Lady Pedrille; a colt from G1 NZ Thousand Guineas winner Planet Rock; half-brother to G1 Coolmore Classic winner Heavens Above from G3 winner Reggie; a three-quarter sister to G3 winner Overshare; a filly from SW Scarlet Vanhara; a colt from G2 Salinger Stakes winner Sister Madly; a filly from multiple G2 winner Skyerush; half-sister to G1 Cox Plate winner Shamus Award; a three-quarter brother to G3 winner Super One; a filly from G3 SA Sires Produce winner Time Awaits; a half-sister to SW Tiyatrolani; and a filly from SW Torah;
When you peruse the list above remember, this stallion stood for $27,500!
These are some of the mares currently in foal to Hellbent: G3 Gosford Belle of the Turf winner Ammirata; G2 Furious Stakes winner Bound for Earth; Chatelaine, dam of G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Headway; SW Diamond Cove, dam of G3 winner Montauk; Harlem Heat, dam of SW Harlem River; triple SW Hoss Amor; G1 Railway Handicap winner Imananabaa; Magic Harmony, dam of G3 winner Charmed Harmony; G3 Molto Bene; G2 Moonee Valley Classic winner My Emotion; SW Private Dancer; G3 winner Reggie, dam of G1 winner Heaven’s Above; G3 winner Saint Minerva; Snow Flight, dam of I Am Invincible’s dual G1 winner Viddora; G3 winner Speedy Natalie, dam of G3 winner Sweet and Speedy; The Baroness, dam of dual G3 winner Princess Posh; and SW Tweet.
Hellbent went to stud in a very competitive year for new stallions in the Hunter Valley, but the quality of the mares he covered and the results from those matings would suggest he may be very good value this season at a fee of $22,000.
