Stallion Snippets - August 6th

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BREEDING SEASON IS ALMOST HERE!

It's one of the most exciting times of the year as the days grow longer and we eagerly await the arrival of the first foals of the season.

Our shuttle sires, Sweet Lou and Downbytheseaside, are currently making their way to New Zealand and are due to arrive at Woodlands Stud on Monday, 31 August, joining resident stallions Bettor's Delight, Lather Up, and Speeding Spur.

Lather Up and Speeding Spur have recently returned to the main stud after enjoying a winter spell on one of our nearby properties and are looking fantastic ahead of the breeding season.

The breeding shed is expected to open from Monday, 7 September, with final opening dates and semen shipping information to be confirmed and circulated over the coming weeks.

Below you'll find a snapshot of each stallion on this season's roster.

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS

Our popular Early Bird Discount returns again this season. Get in touch with our team to discuss the discount structures available and secure the best value for your mare this breeding season.

TESTMATING SERVICE

Wondering which stallion best suits your mare? Take advantage of our free Test Mating Service. Our team is always happy to discuss your mating results and help you select the right cross.

STALLION SNIPPETS

BETTOR'S DELIGHT

­AU: $27,500 inc GST  |  NZ: $25,000 + GST

­Now 28 years old, Bettor's Delight has just completed another Auckland winter in outstanding condition and continues to prove that class is timeless. While new sires continue to emerge, if your goal is to breed elite performers, Bettor's Delight remains the most proven choice available.

  • Progeny earnings exceeding $650 million

  • Sire of champions including Leap To Fame, Lazarus, Adore Me, Chicago Bull, Bit Of A Legend and Tiger Tara

  • Sire of 73 millionaires worldwide (and counting)

  • Sire of the Decade (2000–2019)

  • Continues to win major awards, break records and sire elite performers across the globe

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­DOWNBYTHESEASIDE

AU: $11,000 inc GST  |  NZ: $11,250 + GST

Momentum continues to build behind Downbytheseaside, who is rapidly establishing himself as one of the world's premier young stallions. He is on his way back from North America and set for another busy season ahead!

  • Current leading sire of 2 and 3-year-olds in North America (as at August 5th)

  • Sired the most individual 2-year-old winners across Australasia in 2025

  • Busiest sire across Australasia during the 2025/26 breeding season

  • Sired both NZ 2YO pacing title winners in 2025 - All Of Me and Jumal

  • A young sire with enormous momentum, catch the wave in 2026/27

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LATHER UP

AU: $4,400 inc GST  |  NZ: $4,000 + GST

One of the fastest pacers ever to stand in Australasia, Lather Up is already producing outstanding results from his early crops. He has just enjoyed his first New Zealand winter and is set to continue to leave impressive progeny at terrific value in 2026/27.

  • Dual World Champion

  • Broke two World Records and seven track records during his racing career

  • Already a multiple Group 1-winning sire in Australasia

  • Sire of exciting performers including Sparkling Sea, Debbie Lincoln and Tact Teva

  • Outstanding value for Australasian breeders and Harness 5000 eligible

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SWEET LOU

­AU: FULL & CLOSED  |  NZ: $11,250 + GST

Sweet Lou returns to New Zealand after serving another full book in North America at a US$30,000 service fee, while his Australian book has long been full and closed for this season. New Zealand breeders are privileged to still have access to one of the world's most sought-after stallions.

  • 2025 Champion All Age Sire in both Australia and North America

  • Sire of more than 700 individual Australasian winners

  • Won $3.4 million on the racetrack and raced successfully through to five years of age

  • Sired the leading stakes earning mares in both New Zealand and Australia in 2025 (Arafura and Eye Keep Smiling)

  • The complete package: exceptional racehorse, proven sire, valuable outcross pedigree and outstanding conformation and temperament

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­SPEEDING SPUR

AU: $1,100 inc GST |  NZ: $1,000 + GST

A proven Group 1 performer who is steadily building an exciting reputation as a sire of quality trotters from limited opportunities. A terrific option for breeders looking for a world-class sire at real-world value.

  • Nine-time Group 1-winning sire who earned more than $1 million on the track

  • Beat some of the best trotters of our generation including Monbet, Sundees Son, Glenferrie Typhoon and Maori Time

  • He won feature races in New Zealand, Australia and North America

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­AMERICAN IDEAL

­NZ ONLY: $6,000 + GST (POLF - FROZEN)

Although no longer with us, American Ideal's influence continues to grow through both his sons and daughters, making these remaining breeding opportunities increasingly valuable.

  • Progeny earnings exceeding $270 million

  • Continues to sire feature race winners

  • Final opportunities to breed to him, once the remaining semen is gone, there will be no more

  • Now firmly established as a proven and highly sought-after broodmare sire

As the 2026/27 breeding season approaches, there has never been a better time to choose the Woodlands Stud roster.

From champions and Group 1 winners to emerging stars and proven producers, our stallions continue to deliver results at every level and across every major racing jurisdiction.

The proof is on the racetrack. The opportunity is in the breeding barn.

We look forward to working with breeders throughout Australasia and helping you breed your next star in 2026/27.