WS NEWS | Top Sires, Top Performers
/The 2025 racing season is flying by, and what a year it’s been!
From Breeders Crown heat winners to rising 2-year-old stars, our sires continue to make headlines across Australasia and beyond.
There’s still time to get involved this season, and no one delivers like Woodlands Stud. With a roster of stallions that consistently produce winners on the global stage, now is the perfect moment to breed your next champion.
Photo: Speeding Spur
SPURRED BY SUCCESS
While trotters may make up a smaller slice of the industry, their impact continues to grow, and we are particularly proud of the enduring influence of the 'Spur' line.
PEGASUS SPUR, now retired nearly five seasons, continues to leave his mark on the track and in the breeding barn. Over the weekend, his progeny were back in the spotlight. DONNA'S BOY claimed his fourth win from just 10 starts, while durable mare I DREAM OF JEANIE celebrated her 100th start with her 16th career victory, pushing her earnings past $300,000.
His daughters are also producing at the highest level, with Pegasus Spur the broodmare sire of top earners MUSCLE MOUNTAIN and BET N WIN this season.
SPEEDING SPUR, his million-dollar-earning son, is beginning to shape his own legacy as a sire. His young stock stood out over the weekend, with PARAMOUNT SPUR (Majestic Son dam) notching his second win at Alexandra Park and the Woodlands-bred JOANY BABY (Sundon dam) breaking maiden ranks in style.
From track stars to promising young sires, the Spur influence remains strong, and the legacy is only just getting started.
Photo: Sweet Lou - who sired a Breeders Crown heat double
BREEDERS CROWN HEAT SUCCESS
The opening heats of the 2025 Australasian Breeders Crown kicked off in Victoria last week, and our sires were quick to make their presence felt. With strong performances across all the heats, the early results bode well as we head into the finals.
BETTOR'S DELIGHT notched up two heat winners, first with PEACE OUT (Mach Three dam) in the 3YO Fillies Heat, before BETTOR BEACH (Somebeachsomewhere dam) produced a strong finish to claim the 2YO Fillies Heat, upsetting the previously unbeaten Arrhythmia.
SWEET LOU was also in winning form, securing a double of his own. His smart juvenile LOUCASSO (Art Major dam) impressed in the 2YO Colts & Geldings Heat, while LET IT ROLL (Rock N Roll Heaven dam) continued her excellent season with a stylish win in the 3YO Fillies Heat later in the programme.
We also had trotting success, with What The Hill’s brilliant son KEAYANG BAZLENKA dominating his 2YO Trotters Heat. Trotting away to win by more than 13 metres, he extended his record to five wins and a second from six starts, he looks to be a serious talent in the making.
The finals are being held this Saturday night at Melton and we'd like to wish all of the connections of the Woodlands sired runners the very best of luck.
Photo: Lather Up
IN THE FAST LANE
LATHER UP’s momentum continued last week with another smart performance from his daughter HARLEY LANE (Art Major dam), who delivered a professional and polished victory at Ballarat.
Sitting further back in the field throughout, Harley Lane showed maturity and speed when it mattered, pulling clear in the home straight to stop the clock in a sharp 1:56.7, the fastest time of her career. It’s the kind of progression we are seeing consistently from Lather Up’s stock, horses that improve with racing, show genuine speed, and possess the toughness to finish their runs off strongly.
With winners landing across Australia and New Zealand each week, Lather Up is quietly assembling a very solid record as his next crops come through. Harley Lane’s latest performance is another encouraging sign that his progeny are only going to keep getting better with time and experience.
His 2025/26 results in the breeding shed are very encouraging, so he is a great option for any breeders looking to breed late in the season and get a world class sire for real world value.
Photo: American Ideal
MAGNIFICENT RESULT
MAGNIFICENT STORM reminded everyone why he remains one of WA’s most consistent performers, cruising to an 18-metre win in the Group 3 Navy Cup at Gloucester Park on Friday night. Stopping the clock in a 1:53.6 mile rate for 2130 metres, he showed he still has the speed and stamina that have defined his remarkable career. He stems from the Charles Roberts family line which continue to leave great horse, after great horse.
The son of AMERICAN IDEAL's record now stands at over $1.2 million in earnings, with 42 wins and 13 placings from 72 starts, a strike rate few can match. We are proud to offer his half-brother at the upcoming Yearling Sale on February 16th, catalogued as Lot 20.
Video: Downbytheseaside's daughter, Princess Renee winning on debut at Addington
2YO TIDE STILL RISING
DOWNBYTHESEASIDE continues to enjoy an outstanding year with his 2-year-olds, adding yet another impressive juvenile winner to his 2025 tally. PRINCESS RENEE (Bettor’s Delight dam) was superb on debut at Addington Raceway on Friday night. After sitting parked, she showed grit and speed to sprint past her rivals in the straight, securing the win and earning her connections the additional $12,000 2YO bonus.
Her victory marks Downbytheseaside’s 58th individual Australasian 2YO winner of 2025, more than any other sire this year. He also sits second only to Bettor’s Delight for 2YO stakes in both New Zealand and Australia and continues as the leading money-earning sire of 2YOs in North America.
The season may be racing ahead, but the opportunity to breed with the very best isn’t over yet.
At Woodlands Stud, our stallions continue to set the standard, producing top-level performers year after year. Whether you’re aiming for early-season 2-year-old success or long-term champions, there’s no better time, or better place, to join the winners’ circle than with Woodlands.
When you breed with Woodlands, you’re not just breeding a horse, you’re choosing the best chance of success.
Contact our friendly team today:
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
