Valiant Minister's Fee Rises to $3.5K at Bridlewood

Valiant Minister  , sire of $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner Bentornato , will stand for $3,500 for the upcoming breeding season at Bridlewood Farm near Ocala, Fla. He stood in 2025 for $3,000.

Owned by Susan Chu, the striking gray or roan son of Candy Ride   out of the Deputy Minister mare Spooky Minister , is represented this year by 30 winners, led by Bentornato, an earner of $2.3 million, and stakes-placed Iron Hand , a winner of four of six starts this year with earnings of $154,037.

"Bentornato's Victory in the Breeders' Cup Sprint was super impressive," Bridlewood general manager George Isaacs said. "We feel a stud fee of $3,500 offers Florida breeders a tremendous value and opportunity to breed a racehorse and real champion."

Bentornato, trained by Jose D'Angelo for owners Leon King Stable and Michael and Jules Iavarone, rolled to a  2 1/2-length score in the Sprint, covering six furlongs in 1:08.20 and producing a 110 Beyer Speed Figure. He was bred in Florida by Chu's Tanma Corp. out of the Put It Back  mare Her Special Way .

Valiant Minister is also represented by multiple stakes-winner Outfoxed  (career earnings of $497,554) and stakes-winner Loco Abarrio  ($465,575), as well as several stakes-placed runners.

Valiant Minister, who won his lone start at Santa Anita Park in 2017 for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, entered stud in 2018. He was Florida's fifth-ranked sire in 2024 and is in that same position by progeny earnings this year.