It was another action-packed week at Woodlands Stud, both on and off the track. Our stallions sired 51 winners, including 10 bred and raised right here on the farm and nine 2-year-old winners. Meanwhile, excitement is building on-farm with the arrival of our three shuttle stallions ahead of the 2025–26 breeding season.

The season is ramping up quickly, so if you haven’t booked your mare or need advice on stallion selection, now’s the time to get in touch with our team.

Here are some of the week’s highlights:

SHUTTLE STALLIONS ARRIVE ON-FARM

The much-anticipated arrival of SWEET LOU, DOWNBYTHESEASIDE, and LATHER UP took place last week, following the completion of their quarantine periods. They join our resident champions BETTOR’S DELIGHT and SPEEDING SPUR to complete a world-class roster. All three pacing sires have arrived in superb condition and are ready for a huge season ahead in the breeding barn.

IDEAL WEEK OF WINNERS

Our late sire AMERICAN IDEAL was the standout siring performer last week, siring 15 winners across Australasia, including four 2-year-old victories.

Headlining the results was IDEAL BEACH (Somebeachsomewhere dam), who delivered a brilliant Group 2 victory at Gloucester Park in the 2YO Males Pearl Final on Friday night. A son of LATHER UP, El Mystro, ran second to complete the quinella. Ideal Beach now boasts four starts for three wins and a second, with more than $136,000 in stakes already banked. He was bred by Karnup Racing Pty Ltd and S Johnson.
Watch the replay

Another exciting winner was SENSES (Art Major dam), a half-sister to champion pacer Leap To Fame. She kept her unbeaten record intact, making it two wins from two starts with a victory at Penrith on Thursday night.

Please note: only a limited supply of frozen semen from American Ideal is available in New Zealand for the 2025–26 season. To secure your booking, contact Cameron Grant today on +64 22 096 1897 or cameron@woodlandsstud.co.nz

OTHER NEWS

*Photo: Bar Louie winning the Kurow Cup - Kurow Harness Racing Club*

BAR LOUIE WINS KUROW CUP

Among the 10 Woodlands-bred winners last week, few were as impressive as BAR LOUIE (by Sweet Lou). The talented 3YO claimed the Kurow Cup at Oamaru on Sunday, bringing up his seventh career win.

Purchased by Stonewall Stud as a weanling for just $28,000, Bar Louie has already earned over $88,000 and looks set for an exciting future.
Watch the replay

WOODLANDS WINNERS AT WAGGA

It was a dominant night for Woodlands sires at Riverina Paceway, with stallions producing winners in five of the nine races last Friday. DOWNBYTHESEASIDE and SWEET LOU both recorded doubles, while AMERICAN IDEAL added another to the tally.
Full Results

SWEET SUCCESS AT THE VDM WEEKEND

SWEET LOU'S progeny dominated the prestigious Vincent Delaney Memorial weekend, delivering an incredible 7 winners from just 11 races where they were represented – including both heats and finals of the feature Group races.

Aerodrome – Group 1 2YO Fillies Champion
Sweet Pa – Group 1 2YO Colts & Geldings Champion
Nosmalltalk – Group 1 4YO Colts & Geldings Champion
Lou Sweet Mix – Slot Race Winner
Another Smile – 2YO Colts & Geldings VDM Heat Winner

An outstanding haul from the superstar sire Sweet Lou, once again proving why he’s one of the most influential stallions in the world today.

WE'RE HERE FOR THE HORSE

Woodlands Stud are proud supporters of the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust and their annual Here for the Horse Winter Appeal. With 10 specialised ambulances across New Zealand, the trust provides safe transport for horses injured on track or in training, giving them the best possible chance of recovery at equine clinics.

Learn more or donate here: Here for the Horse Appeal

Contact our friendly team today if you have any bookings or queries regarding our sires ahead of 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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