Momentum is building both on the track and in the breeding barn as Woodlands-sired progeny continue to dominate across Australasia. From Lather Up’s electric 2-year-olds to Downbytheseaside’s unstoppable juveniles and Sweet Lou’s Hollywood headline acts, our stallions are showing that excellence runs deep in every generation.

The power, performances and pedigrees behind the Woodlands name continue to turn opportunity into success for breeders everywhere.

Here are just some of the many highlights:

Photo: Impressive 2-year-old filly Sparkling Sea (Club Menangle)

LATHER UP - WINNERS COMING FAST!

The future is bright, and it’s quick!

Lather Up continues to leave promising types on the racetrack who’ve clearly inherited their sire’s trademark speed.

A dual World Champion himself, Lather Up broke two world records and seven track records during his time on the track, and that brilliance is now shining through in his progeny.

Last week he sired five more winners, including a Saturday night double at Menangle. Both victories came in the NSW Breeders Challenge 2YO Semi-Finals, where his daughter SPARKLING SEA (Somebeachsomewhere dam) recorded her third win from four starts, winning effortlessly by more than 6 metres. In the very next race, CLASSIC CHIP (Mach Three dam) broke through for his maiden win after several close runs. Both now move to the Finals on October 25, after producing slick miles of 1:51.5 and 1:52.7 respectively.

Earlier in the week, NZ export HUXTON (Changeover dam) remained unbeaten since arriving in Australia, making it three straight wins, his latest in a career-best 1:51.9 at Menangle.

Over in Western Australia, AKOYA PEARL (Mach Three dam) added her fifth career win, taking out the Westbred Great Southern Derby at Narrogin.

At just $4,000 + GST (NZ) and $4,400 inc GST (AUS), Lather Up presents breeders with a tremendous opportunity to tap into world-class genetics at an affordable price. He’s kicking goals with small crops, imagine what he could do with big ones!

Photo: Downbytheseaside & Tony Grayling

DOWNBYTHESEASIDE - MAKING WAVES

Downbytheseaside delivered another huge week with 11 winners across Australasia as his best season to date continues to build.

His headline act was the unbeaten 2-year-old JUMAL (Badlands Hanover dam), who captured the Listed $200,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million Final at Addington on Friday night, remaining six from six.

Despite a back-row draw, the Dave Kennedy (of Beaudiene Breeding) bred colt, circled the field with a long, sustained run three and four wide to score dominantly.

Jumal now leads all 2-year-olds on stakes in New Zealand (with fellow Downbytheseaside star Fugitive in second) and sits fourth among all pacers overall for 2025. His success has helped propel Downbytheseaside firmly into the limelight as one of the most exciting sires in harness racing worldwide.

With 42 individual 2-year-old winners in 2025, the most of any sire, and over $4.1 million in progeny earnings this season, his record speaks for itself. A 60% starters-to-winners ratio across the board only adds to his reputation.

It’s not too late to breed to the sire making the biggest wave in harness racing, he’s fast, fit, and extremely fertile.

Photo: Sweet Lou

SWEET LOU - A STAR IN HOLLYWOOD

Star 2-year-old HOLLYWOOD STRIP (Sportswriter dam) has kept his perfect record intact, winning his fourth consecutive start at Menangle on Saturday night in a NSW Breeders Challenge Semi-Final, pacing the mile in 1:50.7, which is just shy of his Australasian record-equalling 1:50.0 from his last start. He heads to the Final on October 25 as a leading contender.

This week also marked another milestone for his sire, with SWEET LOU celebrating his 300th Australian-bred winner as his 2-year-old daughter SWEETER THE BETTOR (Bettor’s Delight dam) scored at Pinjarra yesterday. Across Australasia, Sweet Lou now boasts 633 individual winners.

Currently second on the Australian All-Age leaderboard (behind only Bettor’s Delight) and fourth among 2-year-olds for 2025, Sweet Lou’s influence continues to spread and he remains one of the most in demand stallions across the World.

OTHER NEWS

AMERICAN IDEAL - DERBY LEAD UP DOUBLE

The late, great AMERICAN IDEAL continues to shine, with his sons claiming both Derby Preludes over the weekend.

At Gloucester Park, WHEN IN VEGAS (Bettor’s Delight dam) led home a Woodlands-sired top five in the WA Derby Prelude ahead of the October 31 Final.

Meanwhile, at Melton, SAO PAULO SIMBA (Mach Three dam) led throughout to win his Woodlands Stud Victoria Derby Heat, earning a start in this Saturday’s Group 1 Final.

As long-time sponsors of the Victorian Derby, we wish the best of luck to all connections competing in this elite race.

BETTOR’S DELIGHT - JUVENILE DOMINANCE

At 27 years of age, Bettor’s Delight continues to produce some of the best juveniles in the world. His smaller, modern day crops remain industry-leading, with six 2-year-old winners among 20 total winners last week.

Even as new generations emerge, Bettor’s Delight remains the benchmark sire, proving that greatness never fades.

There are still limited bookings to him available in both New Zealand and Australia, so contact the team today to get your spot.

WOODLANDS WEEKLY WINNERS WITH CAMPBELL'S COMMENTS

Success isn’t by chance, it’s by choice. Choose Woodlands.

Contact our friendly team today if you have any bookings or queries regarding our sires for the 2025-26 season.

Cameron Grant (NZ): +64 22 096 1897 or cameron@woodlandsstud.co.nz

Mark Hughes (AU): +61 451 650 707 or mark@woodlandsstud.co.nz

Office: +64 9 292 8250 or office@woodlandsstud.co.nz

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