Laurel River heads ‘down under’ to Woodside Park

Cover image courtesy of Woodside Park Stud

Laurel River (USA) is set to make his mark in Australia, with the Group 1-winning son of record-breaking stallion Into Mischief (USA) confirmed to shuttle to Woodside Park Stud in Victoria this season at a fee of $22,000 inc GST.

Shuttling from his northern hemisphere base at Japan’s Big Red Farm, where he stands for 2,500,000 yen (AU$22,100), Laurel River arrives with a race record and pedigree that positions him among the most intriguing stallion prospects to visit Victoria in recent seasons.

Bred and raised at Juddmonte Farms’ American base in Lexington, Kentucky, Laurel River carried the famed silks of the late Prince Khalid bin Abdullah - colours synonymous with global champions including Frankel (GB). A predominantly sprint-mile performer that stretched out to 2000 metres for his G1 Dubai Wolrd Cup win, Laurel River won six of his 11 starts and accrued more than US$7.5 million (approx. AU$10.4 million) in prizemoney, combining natural speed with a tenacious racing style that would ultimately define his career.

A career built on speed - and sealed in Dubai

Laurel River began his career under the guidance of trainer Bob Baffert in Southern California, showing immediate promise when breaking his maiden at his second start as a 3-year-old by four and a half lengths over 1300 metres. He followed that with a strong second placing in the G3 Barrera Stakes over the same trip at just his third outing.

At four, his campaign gathered momentum. A dominant victory in the G2 Pat O’Brien Stakes highlighted his progression, while an earlier allowance success over a mile reinforced his versatility. That upward trajectory ultimately led to a move to Dubai, where he joined the stable of Bhupat Seemar.

It was in the Middle East that Laurel River elevated his profile to the highest level. Following a commanding Group 3 win in the Burj Nahaar at Meydan, he stepped beyond a mile for the first, and only time in his career. The result was emphatic.

In the US$12 million (AU$16.6 million) Dubai World Cup, Laurel River produced a performance of rare authority, recording an eight-and-a-half-length victory in track-record time. It was a display that not only defined his career but placed him firmly among the world’s elite.

That effort saw him crowned Longines World’s Best Racehorse in 2024 with a World Thoroughbred Rating of 128, equal to Coolmore Stud's City Of Troy (USA) and above the likes of Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) and Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}).

Woodside’s stallion nominations manager Mark Dodemaide does not understate the significance of Laurel River’s achievements.

“He was an outstanding racehorse, when you are rated 128 and equal best horse in the world, you are at the top of the tree,” he said.

“I really encourage breeders to look at his Dubai World Cup win. He jumps from the outside barrier, goes to the front and then at the 800 metre mark, Tadhg O’Shea releases the brakes, kicks away and ends up winning by eight lengths. You have to have a super set of lungs to do that. It’s one of the best performances you will ever see on a racetrack.”

Echoes of Street Cry

Comparisons with proven stallion success stories are inevitable, and Dodemaide sees parallels with the influential Street Cry (Ire).

An American-bred who also began his career in the United States before achieving Dubai World Cup success, Street Cry went on to sire 135 stakes winners worldwide, including champion Winx, and the classy sire Street Boss (USA), the sire of Anamoe.

“He profiles like Street Cry. They both started their careers with half a dozen runs in Southern California before going to Dubai, they both won the Dubai World Cup at their 10th start and were forward, on-speed tough horses.”

“They had similar racing styles, could race on pace, absorb that pressure and give a kick.”

The power of Into Mischief

While Laurel River’s racetrack performance alone demands attention, his pedigree adds another layer of appeal.

A son of Into Mischief (USA), he represents one of the most dominant sirelines in the modern era of American breeding.

“He’s by Into Mischief, a seven times (in succession) leading sire in America and a chance of going eight. He truly does look a breed-shaping sire and I think it’s time to give a son a go in Australia,” Dodemaide said.

“When you put that into perspective, Danzig won it three times, Mr Prospector won it twice, Storm Cat won it twice. I really think it’s time to have a crack at this sire line. Especially when that sire line is known for early speed that trains on.

“If Renegade went a head better on the weekend in the Kentucky Derby it would have meant Into Mischief was the first to produce four winners of the great race, he has already left three.

The success of Into Mischief’s sons at stud further strengthens the case.

“Into Mischief is a freak stallion and proven sire of sires. His son Practical Joke, 54 stakes winners, 12 at Group 1 level. Goldencents, 33 stakes winners, three at Group 1 level,” Dodemaide commented.

“If you compare them physically, Laurel River is in the same mould as his famous sire.”

A pedigree built for new opportunities in Australia

For Australian breeders, Laurel River presents both proven patterns and fresh possibilities.

Into Mischief and his progeny have excelled across a wide range of crosses in North America, and Dodemaide is confident that adaptability will translate locally.

“He goes well with Mr Prospector, there have been over 150 stakes winners, 50 Group winners bred on the Into Mischief – Mr Prospector cross and three of those are Kentucky Derby winners in Sovereignty, Authentic and Mandaloun.”

“Daughters of Street Cry, Street Boss, Pride Of Dubai, and Too Darn Hot would be ideal. The Into Mischief – Danzig cross is responsible for 114 stakes winners of which 18 were Group 1 winners. Mares by Exceed And Excel, Fastnet Rock, Redoute’s Choice, Shamus Award and Magnus, etc. would suit. Both Bernardini and Medaglia D’Oro mares have had positive results with Into Mischief.

“The interesting one that stands out to me is Distorted Humor. People forget this US champion sire stood two seasons in Australia.

“Even if you had a mare whose granddam or third dam is by him, I would find it hard to turn your back on the 28 stakes winners, of which seven were Group 1 winners. Into Mischief is something new to this part of the world but is something extremely successful.”

At a service fee of $22,000 inc GST and pay on live foal, Woodside believes Laurel River represents genuine value.

“We think this represents great value with the boxes that he’s ticked. Eddie and general manager Anthony Bueti have an unwavering commitment to the Victorian industry and want to remain affordable for all Australian breeders.”

Strength, versatility and depth at Woodside

Laurel River will join a well-balanced Woodside Park roster, featuring a blend of proven and emerging stallions across diverse sirelines.

Alongside the Dubai World Cup winner Into Mischief, are names such as Celestial Legend, Benbatl (GB), Shalaa (Ire), Rich Enuff, Foxwedge and Delaware (GB), representing sire influences such as Dundeel (NZ), Dubawi (Ire), Invincible Spirit (GB), Written Tycoon, Fastnet Rock and Frankel (GB).

Gallery: The balance of the Woodside Park Stud 2026 stallion roster, images courtesy of Woodside Park Stud

“We have a lovely mix we think, with Classique Legend we have the Dundeel sire line that seems to be working very well, he was brilliant and tough, Benbatl is a lovely horse by Dubawi, Shalaa has now had 23 stakes winners and we have a son of Frankel and Written Tycoon as well.

“We think we have a stallion for everyone and with prizemoney being so good there is opportunities there.”