Yarraman Park’s three-strong roster - all proven Group 1-producing sires - continues to go from strength to strength and is once again led by the breed-shaping I Am Invincible complemented by his sire-son Hellbent, and rising stallion Brave Smash.
Crowned Champion Sire for a third consecutive season in 2023/24, I Am Invincible joined Danehill and Snitzel as the only stallions to achieve three consecutive champion sires’ titles and at 80.1% winners to runners, he leads the sires’ table by winners (163*).
“He has an exceptional 9.5% Stakes winners to runners this season. He is the leading sire of two-year-old stakes winners which includes the unbeaten two-year-old colt Vinrock, winner of the G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes, who was subsequently purchased as a stallion prospect by Yulong,” said Yarraman principal Arthur Mitchell. “On Saturday, four-year-old mare Charm Stone claimed the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes with Commemorative in third - a great reminder of his exceptional influence.”
“I Am Invincible’s legacy is already assured with both his sons and his daughters continuing his influence. His multiple Group 1-winning daughter Imperatriz became Australasia’s most expensive broodmare making $6.6 million last May, while he is also the broodmare sire of Group 1 winners in both hemispheres in 2024 and he’s showing all the signs of becoming a very dominant broodmare sire.”
“Last October he broke the southern hemisphere record for a two-year-old at auction, that colt (Hostility) was Group 1-placed on his second start for Te Akau. Home Affairs topped the Magic Millions this year with a $3.2 million yearling, so his sons also continue to produce exceptional results.”
In the ring, I Am Invincible averaged $580,000 across the Magic Millions and Inglis Easter sales with a top price of $2.3 million for In Secret’s full sister, one of many yearlings to surpass the million-dollar mark.
Asked if the current economic conditions played a role in the decision to lower I Am Invincible and Brave Smash’s fee, and hold Hellbent’s, Arthur said: “It’s certainly always a consideration for us when setting all of our stallions’ fees, along with where they are placed in their careers. Vinnie is entering his twilight years, and there are limited outside nominations available. We are also mindful of the challenges facing trainers and syndicators, along with breeders - the cost of production and wages, everything has increased. We want to ensure everyone has a good chance, no matter which part of the market they operate in.”
I Am Invincible will stand this season at a reduced fee of $220,000 including GST.
Hellbent’s momentum continues to build both on the track and in the sales ring, further cementing his reputation as a rising force in the Australian stallion ranks.
At Magic Millions, a colt out of Sugar Hill sold for $425,000 (21 times his service fee) to Craig Rounsefell on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club - making him Hellbent’s highest-priced yearling for 2025. On the track, he’s delivered Stakes winners in all four crops of racing age, including a pair of Group 1 winners from his first - Benedetta and Magic Time - both still racing with the latter having been purchased privately by Yulong.
“Hellbent’s striking at 50.2% winners to runners this season, it’s the highest strike rate in the Top 15 on the General Sires’ table by winners,” said principal Harry Mitchell. “His two-year-olds are performing well, with five winners including three Stakes horses. It’s the result of better books, and we’ll continue to see that improvement coming through.”
Hellbent currently sits third on the four-year-old sires’ table by winners, with I Am Invincible leading - a testament to the soundness and durability of his progeny.
Hellbent will stand for an unchanged fee of $38,500 including GST.
Now entering his third season at Yarraman Park, Brave Smash continues to spark excitement, with his Yarraman-conceived crop set to debut as yearlings in 2026.
His first-crop filly Kimochi delivered a breakthrough Group 1 win in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, defeating Another Wil and Jimmysstar. Another first-crop runner, Divano, has notched five wins in Hong Kong for trainer Francis Lui.
From his current crop of two-year-olds, Brave Design has made an immediate impact being Stakes-placed from just two starts, including a last-start second to Group 1 winner Vinrock in the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce.
“He’s an exciting stallion for us. What he’s achieved from his first three crops, combined with the quality of stock and matings coming through, makes this a really exciting stage in his career,” said Harry Mitchell.
Brave Smash will stand at a slightly reduced fee of $27,500 including GST.
“We’re fully invested in these three stallions and will continue to throw everything we’ve got behind them this season. Each has enormous upside, and we know breeders who back them again will see the benefit,” said Harry. “On behalf of Arthur and myself, thank you to our shareholders and everyone who’s supported us so far. We look forward to discussing each person’s mating plans and wish everyone a good season ahead.”
From the breed-shaping influence of I Am Invincible, to the incredible rise of Hellbent and the new beginnings for Brave Smash, Yarraman Park’s roster is one with exceptional upside that breeders must simply not ignore.
