Curlin is preparing for another breeding season at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa

Two-time Horse of the Year and sire line legend Curlin will return to the Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa roster for the 2027 breeding season at a private fee following encouraging fertility reports, while Good Magic will stand for US$ 80,000, newcomer Brant enters the stud at US$ 20,000, and Maclean's Music, Arabian Knight, and Army Mule hold their advertised values

PARIS, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).— The possibility of bringing Curlin back to active stud duty for the 2027 breeding season is the headlining news to emerge from Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa's newly announced roster and fee schedule. The extraordinary son of Smart Strike, one of the most influential sire figures in American breeding over recent decades, remains under a meticulously managed reproductive regimen, though recent test results offer strong reason to believe he will be able to cover mares once again.

The farm announced its stud fees in recent hours, keeping the legendary sire as the centerpiece of their stallion lineup, albeit at a private fee and without yet defining his book size.

John Sikura, President of Hill 'n' Dale, explained that the main priority remains protecting the horse while carefully managing his reproductive capacity: “We are managing Curlin meticulously, giving him the respect he deserves as one of the most influential and outstanding sires of modern times,” he noted.

“We will continue to conduct cover tests and determine his book size prior to the season. It is extremely encouraging that we tested two mares that were pronounced in foal this autumn, which gives us tremendous optimism regarding his return.”

A two-time Horse of the Year in the United States, Curlin also holds a phenomenal record at the Breeders' Cup: he is the only stallion in history to sire three championship race winners on a single card across two consecutive years.

Good Magic, the Primary Heir

Standing behind Curlin is his champion son Good Magic, whose 2027 fee has been set at US$ 80,000, live foal stands and nurses.

His importance extends far beyond recent race results. Good Magic joins Man o' War (Fair Play) and Gallant Fox(Sir Gallahad) as part of an exclusive group of stallions to sire classic winners from the American Triple Crown in each of their first two crops. Furthermore, he is rapidly establishing himself as a sire of sires, with four of his sons already entering stud duty at major Kentucky farms.

The commercial market has responded in kind to the quality of his upcoming generations. During the recent Keeneland September Yearling Sale, his progeny commanded prices of US$ 1,600,000, US$ 1,100,000, and US$ 1,000,000, underscoring the demand among elite global buyers.

Another key pillar of the roster is Maclean's Music (Distorted Humor), who will remain at a US$ 30,000 fee. Celebrated for passing on raw speed, he currently ranks 16th on the American General Sire List, with his progeny amassing nearly US$ 9,000,000 in earnings during 2026.

His flagship performer of the season is Bacio, recent winner of the Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) at York and a leading contender for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Keeneland.

Brant, the New Addition

The headline newcomer to the roster is Brant, a Grade 1-winning son of Gun Runner who will launch his stud career at a fee of US$ 20,000.

The colt made headlines when he fetched a record US$ 3,000,000 at the 2025 OBS March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

He lost no time in validating that price tag. He won on debut in spectacular fashion, earning a Ragozin figure recognized as the fastest by any 2-year-old that season, before annexing the Del Mar Futurity (G1) in his very next start.

Hill 'n' Dale has him available for inspection, aiming to attract breeders seeking a young, precocious son of Gun Runner with top-level credentials.

Also remaining on the roster is Grade 1 winner Arabian Knight, a son of Uncle Mo, who will stand for US$ 30,000. Introduced in 2025, he was the most sought-after freshman sire in the farm's history. His first foals will hit the sales ring as weanlings this November.

Army Mule (Friesan Fire), another commercial favorite, will hold his fee at US$ 25,000. His yearlings reached up to US$ 450,000 this year, while his 2-year-olds commanded up to US$ 750,000, confirming his strong appeal in a more accessible price bracket.

Charlatan, Barnes, and Loggins

The stallion dynamic also includes Charlatan, who will stand for US$ 20,000 following significant momentum from his early crops. The son of Speightstown ranks third among second-crop sires and second by number of stakes performers in 2026, while sharing second place for graded stakes winners.

Barnes, a son of Into Mischief who was among Bob Baffert's top early hopes for the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1), will hold his fee at US$ 15,000. Winner of the San Vicente Stakes (G2) by 5 1/2 lengths and the Perryville Stakes(G3) by 8 1/4 lengths, his first foals will arrive in 2027.

Demand for his family was highlighted recently when his full-brother brought US$ 4,200,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale.

Finally, Loggins, a G1-placed son of Ghostzapper, will be available at US$ 5,000. His first yearlings met with a warm commercial reception—including a colt sold for US$ 550,000 at Saratoga—and his initial crop will hit the racetrack in 2027.

Hill 'n' Dale thus enters the upcoming breeding season combining optimism over Curlin's potential return with the proven success of Good Magic and the addition of promising new prospects like Brant. Yet no single piece of news holds as much weight for the farm as the encouraging fertility reports surrounding their marquee star: the prospect of Curlin returning to active duty in 2027 keeps a door of immense value open for the American breeding industry.