WS NEWS | Still Going Strong
/As we edge ever closer to the start of another breeding season, our stallions continue to provide plenty of reasons for optimism. Across Australasia last week there were winners at every level, from exciting young prospects taking their first steps to proven open-class performers adding further chapters to already remarkable careers.
This week's highlights once again showcase the strength, consistency and versatility of the Woodlands Stud stallion roster.
Photo: Bettor's Delight
NEVER BEEN BETTOR
We often talk about the extraordinary impact Bettor's Delight has had on harness racing worldwide. He has transformed the breed, introducing genetics that have produced some of the finest racehorses of this generation.
Along the way, he has provided breeders, owners, trainers and drivers with success they could only dream of, through progeny that often begin their careers in an unassuming fashion before developing into stars.
Now in the twilight of his remarkable career and residing full-time at Woodlands Stud, Bettor's Delight continues to produce standout performers season after season. Last week was another reminder of his enduring influence, with winners ranging from exciting two-year-olds to elite open-class performers.
The next wave of his progeny is beginning to make their mark, with several eye-catching 2-year-old winners emerging. At Cambridge, Breckon bred LUCKY LUKA (Art Major mare) was impressive, coming wide and finishing strongly to win at just her second start. Across the Tasman, LOTS OF HEART (Christian Cullen mare) made a winning debut at Redcliffe on Wednesday.
At the other end of the spectrum, champion pacer LEAP TO FAME returned to the winner's circle at Albion Park on Saturday night as he builds towards a bid for a third Inter Dominion title in July. The victory was the 69th of his stellar career and came following a short freshen-up after his dominant success in The Race at Cambridge in April.
Bettor's Delight currently sits first or second on seven of the eight major and age-group sire premierships across New Zealand and Australia in 2026.
Healthy, thriving and continuing to produce elite performers, he remains one of the premier stallion options for breeders looking to breed stock that can excel both in the sale ring and on the racetrack.
Photo: Downbytheseaside
TIDAL TREBLE
Downbytheseaside continues to enhance his reputation with every passing season. As his larger crops reach racing age, his influence continues to grow, with his progeny consistently producing winners across Australasia at an impressive rate.
Now sitting on 299 individual winners across Australasia, another significant milestone is just around the corner. His highlight last week came at Cambridge on Friday night, where he produced a winning treble.
RIDE THE WAVES (Art Major dam) opened proceedings and maintained her unbeaten record after backing up her winning debut. The exciting filly is another example of the quality fillies Downbytheseaside continues to leave. Bred by respected Southland breeder Diane Cournane, she remains in her ownership after being purchased by Stonewall Stud for $55,000 at the 2024 Yearling Sales.
The very next race saw LINCOLN WAVE (Bettor's Delight dam) continue the momentum. The Woodlands Stud yearling graduate contributed to a successful evening for the Ray Green, Nate Delany and Lincoln Farms team, who secured a training treble. The three-year-old colt recorded his fifth career victory and pushed his earnings beyond $73,000.
Completing the treble was KING TIDE (Bettor's Delight dam), who caused a minor upset in recording his second career win. Bred by Darryl Kidd and trained by David Butcher, the gelding continues to make steady progress through the grades.
It's results like these that have helped Downbytheseaside establish himself as one of the most exciting and successful young sires available to Australasian breeders. He sits second on the All Age Sires leaderboard in New Zealand for 2026 and is first, second or third on the two and three year old leaderboards in both New Zealand and Australia. He's the sire you must consider for your mare(s) this season!
Video: Charlene Gusman's Kilmore Double
CHARLENE'S DOUBLE
Last week's Kilmore meeting saw a fantastic breeding, ownership and training success achieved by Charlene Gusman.
Charlene prepared a training double with CLIVES GIRL and ROM BARO, but the story runs even deeper. She also bred and owns both winners, with the pair being out of her remarkable Art Major mare, SHES NORMA JEANE.
Even more impressively, SHES NORMA JEANE remains a 100% producer, with both winners carrying the Woodlands Stud banner:
Clives Girl - Bettor's Delight
Rom Baro - Sweet Lou
Charlene has been a loyal supporter of Woodlands Stud and our stallions for many years, making the achievement all the more rewarding to witness. Success in harness racing is never easy to achieve, and to breed, own and train both winners from the same mare, on the same night is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to her dedication to the sport.
Congratulations to Charlene on a memorable result. We look forward to following the continued success of this outstanding family.
WOODLANDS SUPPORTS CATWALK
Woodlands Stud is proud to support CatWalk Stud as a founding member, donating the value of a service to our champion sire Sweet Lou as part of the initiative's annual fundraising efforts.
We jumped at the opportunity to support a cause that resonates deeply within the wider equine and racing community. The incredible work CatWalk is doing to fund groundbreaking spinal cord injury research is both inspiring and vitally important, with the potential to change countless lives.
The racing industry has a long history of rallying behind causes that make a genuine difference, and CatWalk is one that unites people from right across the equine world. We are honoured to play a small part in supporting such a worthwhile initiative and encourage others to get behind the outstanding work being done by the CatWalk team.
Every service donated to CatWalk Stud helps fund world-leading research aimed at finding a cure for spinal cord injury, making each contribution an investment in hope, progress and life-changing outcomes.
Click the link below for more information on Catwalk Stud, and if you are interested in purchasing the CatWalk Stud service to Sweet Lou, please contact our team today.
With the new breeding season now just around the corner, there has never been a better time to start planning your mating decisions. Whether your goal is the sale ring, the racetrack or breeding your next family favourite, our team would be delighted to discuss the Woodlands Stud stallion roster and help find the best option for your mare.
