As juveniles in the Autumn of 2011 they combined to win all four G1 races for two-year-olds in Victoria and New South Wales. They returned as three-year-olds later that year and recorded three G1 victories between them throughout the Melbourne Spring.
Four-time G1 winner Sepoy and triple G1 winner Helmet left an indelible mark on the racetrack and both are now doing the same off it.
The first foals of the star young stallions hit the ground this Spring and have created an immediate impression.
Crowned Champion two-year-old following his Blue Diamond-Golden Slipper double, Sepoy subsequently became World Champion three-year-old sprinter.
It was little surprise he was supported heavily in his debut season at stud. His book of 127 mares included G1 winners Ancient Song, Champagne, Regimental Gal and Midnight Oil as well as the dams of G1 winners Skilled, Alinghi, Alverta, Calveen and Star Witness. A third of Sepoy’s first book were G1 winners, G1 producers or sisters or daughters of G1 winners.
“We sent three black type mares plus a daughter of a G1 winner to Sepoy last year,” said Laurel Oak Bloodstock’s Louis Mihalyka.
“Each has had a high-quality foal with good size and bone, even from the maiden mare. They have tremendous muscle definition and overall athletic appearance. All four mares were booked to return to Sepoy, so first impressions have left us very happy with our choice of stallion.”
A dual G1 winner as a two-year-old and the winner of the G1 Caulfield Guineas in record time at three, Helmet was also afforded a quality first book of mares at stud. Among them were G1 winners Star Shiraz and Preserve as well as Insouciance, dam of recent G1 Spring Champion Stakes winner Complacent.
“The Arctic Drift filly is outstanding as is the half-brother to Complacent,” said Darley’s General Manager of Woodlands John Sunderland.
“The Hosannah colt (pictured) has a real presence about him. He is correct and the family can be on the smaller side but he has good leg under him. Helmet is throwing a lot of quality in to his foals. They all have plenty of leg and great temperaments.”
With their foals having left such incredible first impressions, both Sepoy and Helmet have covered significantly bigger books this season in their second year at stud.
Their stories on the track were that of brilliance and dominance and they are now being afforded every opportunity to continue those stories in their careers off the track.
