Group 1-winning sprinter Hellbent retires to Yarraman Park

Last week's William Reid Stakes winner Hellbent has been retired to stand alongside his sire I Am Invincible at Yarraman Park Stud for an introductory fee of A$27,500 (£15,000/€9,400).

The Darren Weir-trained five-year-old broke through at Group 1 level for the first time at Moonee Valley, and connections including Yarraman Park contemplated a Sydney and overseas campaign before electing to retire him immediately.

Yarraman Park Stud announced the decision yesterday, with studmaster Harry Mitchell believing the five-year-old entire had nothing more to prove.

Hellbent, who is from the second crop of I Am Invincible, will join his father and Fastnet Rock stallion Hinchinbrook on the Yarraman Park roster in 2018.

View William Reid result

"Darren Weir always believed he could win a Group 1 and he's done that," Mitchell said.

"He's in the best form of his life, but he's danced all the Group 1 dances and we are very excited to have him coming to the farm.

"He is a great sort, very similar to his father and a perfect fit with what we are doing."

A A$95,000 purchase at the 2014 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Hellbent won seven of his 23 starts headed by the William Reid Stakes and also placed twice in Group 1 company, for prize-money earnings of A$901,450.

Having won on his juvenile debut at Canterbury in June 2015, Hellbent started his career with Goulburn-based trainer Kurt Goldman, before being transferred to Weir when Yarraman Park purchased an interest in the horse after his three-year-old career.

Hellbent is one of three winners for the Sydney metropolitan-winning mare Volkaspray, a Volksraad sister to the stakes-placed juvenile winner Deautche Express.

The Group 1 winner's brother was purchased by Weir for A$260,000 at this year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale after being offered by Yarraman Park.

The service fees for I Am Invincible and Hinchinbrook, who stood for A$110,000 (inc GST) and A$44,000 (inc GST) respectively in 2017, are expected to be announced soon.

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