The NZ Standardbred Breeders’ Association Cup Eve Function is always a cornerstone event of Cup Week, a night dedicated to acknowledging the breeders, horses, and bloodlines that shape the future of our sport. For Woodlands Stud and sister-operation Charles Joseph Ltd, this year’s celebration delivered another powerful reminder of their influence across New Zealand and Australian harness racing.

Photo: Paul Kenny (Left) and Andrew Grierson (Right) with dunstan horsefeeds David sMith (middle)

With awards presented for every New Zealand Group race winner and all NZ-bred Australian Group 1 winners from the previous season, both operations featured prominently throughout the evening, reflecting decades of investment in elite broodmares, world-class sires, and a commitment to producing champions.

Woodlands Stud’s footprint at the Function stretched across five of its powerhouse stallions Bettor’s Delight, Sweet Lou, Downbytheseaside, What The Hill, and American Ideal - a testament to the depth and international strength of the Woodlands roster.

Sweet Lou - A Season of Star Performers

Sweet Lou continued his reputation as one of Australasia’s most potent modern stallions, siring multiple Group race winners bred and raised by Woodlands:

Arafura - Northern Oaks (Gp1)
Mantra Blue - Mares’ Spring Sprint Classic (Gp2)
Jolimont - Founders Cup (Gp3)
Christopher Dance - WA Derby (AU Gp1)

Sweet Lou’s also rewarded other breeders for their faith in him:

Sonofamistery - Kindergarten Stakes (Gp2) - Breeder: Dancingonmoonlight Ltd
Tact McLeod - Canterbury Classic (Gp2) - Breeder: Mrs B Dynes
Duchess Megxit - NZ Pacing Oaks (Gp1) & Queen Of Hearts (Gp1) - Breeder: M Ward
Mighty Looee - Methven Cup (Gp3) - Breeders: Tardina Stud

His progeny demonstrated the speed, athleticism, and versatility he has become renowned for in both hemispheres.

Downbytheseaside - A Rising Force

Downbytheseaside continues to climb the sire rankings rapidly, and Woodlands enjoyed multiple winners from his expanding legacy:

Pinseeker - Autumn FFA (Gp3)
Aardiebytheseaside - Westral Mares Classic (Gp1)
Coastal Babe - Victoria Oaks (Gp1)

Our loyal breeders also saw success with his progeny:

Jumal - Creek Farm 2YO Classic (Gp1) - Breeder: Dave Kennedy

Downbytheseaside has proven a standout for both fillies and colts, with his stock displaying toughness, gait efficiency, and strike rates that continue to impress.

Bettor’s Delight - The Benchmark Stallion

Although Woodlands didn’t personally breed this year’s Bettor’s Delight Group winners, the Cup Eve Function underscored his continued dominance across the industry:

Mo’unga - Kaikoura Cup (Gp2), Summer Cup (Gp3), Ranfurly Transport FFA (Gp3) - Breeders: Braeden & Caroline Whitelock
Marketplace - 2YO Sires Stakes Final (Gp1), Ace Of Spades (Gp1), 3YO Sires Stakes Final (Gp1) & Northern Derby (Gp1) - Breeders: Tony Barron & Gordon McKenzie
Republican Party - Invercargill Cup (Gp1), Auckland Cup (Gp1), NZ Messenger (Gp1), Roy Purdon Memorial (Gp1), Hannon Memorial (Gp3) - Breeders: Price Bloodstock
Don’t Stop Dreaming - City Of Auckland FFA (Gp2) - Breeders: Studholme Bloodstock
Delightful Peg - Southern Oaks Final (Gp2) - Breeders: Tony Barron
Allamericanplayer - Welcome Stakes (Gp1) and Sapling Stakes (Gp2) Breeders: Breckon Farms
Five Crowns - Southern Supremacy Stakes Final (Gp2) - Breeders: Breckon Farms
Stella Rouge - Ace of Diamonds (Gp1) - Breeders: Dancingonmoonlight Ltd
Ripples - Gold Tiara Final (AU Gp1) - Breeder: Michael Harvey

Bettor’s Delight remains in a class of his own, and the star power his progeny bring helps elevate the profile of Woodlands’ entire roster.

What The Hill - Expanding Trotter Influence

The trotting ranks were strongly represented by What The Hill, whose star progeny enjoyed success across the season including:

Bet N Win - Fred Shaw Memorial (Gp1), Rowe Cup (Gp1) plus three additional Group 3 wins - Breeders: Breckon Farms
Frazzled - Northern Trotting Oaks (Gp3) - Breeders: Bruce Taylor & Marg Evans

Charles Joseph Ltd: Honouring the Roberts Legacy

The world renowned bloodlines of the late Charles Roberts, now carried forward with vision and dedication by Mary and Paul Kenny under Charles Joseph Ltd, once again stood tall during the awards. Their broodmare band, built upon Roberts’ decades-long commitment to exceptional female families, delivered another season of standout results including:

Beside Me (Downbytheseaside × Dream About Me) — Ladyship Stakes (Gp2) winner.

This result is deeply meaningful, coming from the treasured Adore Me / Dream About Me maternal family, one of the most influential broodmare lines in New Zealand.

The Kennys’ stewardship of the Roberts dynasty continues to bear fruit. Their focus on meticulous broodmare management, carefully planned matings, and preservation of family strengths is reflected in every success story, including Beside Me and the generations still to come.

A Combined Legacy Strengthening the Future

The achievements of Woodlands Stud and Charles Joseph Ltd at the Cup Eve Function reflect a powerful synergy:

Elite broodmare families
High-performance, globally proven stallions
Decades of careful breeding decisions
A commitment to raising and preparing athletic, durable standardbreds

Together, they produced winners across five major sire lines, across both pacers and trotters, and across New Zealand and Australian Group racing.

Their combined influence continues to elevate New Zealand breeding on the world stage, shaping the next generation of champions.

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