Laurel River —a gaggle 1-winning son of record-breaking stallion Into Mischief —will shuttle to Australia’s Woodside Park Stud in 2026.
The Eddie Hirsch-owned Victoria-based farm has struck a deal to carry the previous Juddmonte-owned 2024 Dubai World Cup (G1) winner to Australia from his Northern Hemisphere base at Japan’s Large Purple Farm, presenting Australian breeders a uncommon likelihood to entry the Into Mischief bloodline by a world-class champion racehorse.
Born at Juddmonte Farms’ United States base close to Lexington, Laurel River campaigned efficiently within the silks of the late Prince Khalid bin Abdullah. Laurel River gained six of his 11 begins and over $7.5 million in prize cash.
His racing fashion displays his pedigree: an explosive mixture of Into Mischief pace and precocity with sufficient stamina to dominate the world’s greatest over 2000 meters.
Laurel River’s profession started within the Southern California barn of Corridor of Fame coach Bob Baffert, and his expertise was evident early, breaking his maiden at his second begin in 2021 by 4 1/2 lengths earlier than a second within the Lazaro Barrera Stakes (G3) in his third begin.
His subsequent U.S. marketing campaign culminated with a dominant victory within the 2022 Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2), defeating elite-level winners American Theorem , Speaker’s Nook , Senor Buscador , and Get Her Quantity , and in the end a swap to Dubai-based coach Bhupat Seemar.
Following a gaggle 3 romp within the 2024 Burj Nahaar (G3) at Meydan, Laurel River was examined past the mile for the primary and solely time in his profession, leading to his crowning second: a record-breaking, 8 1/2-length victory within the $12 million Dubai World Cup.
Laurel River was subsequently named Longines World’s Finest Racehorse in 2024, with a ranking of 128, equal to Metropolis of Troy and above the likes of By way of Sistina and Romantic Warrior .
Woodside’s stallion nominations supervisor, Mark Dodemaide, is enthused to have a stallion of Laurel River’s caliber be part of the roster.
“He was an excellent racehorse. If you find yourself rated 128 and equal greatest horse on this planet, you might be on the high of the tree,” he mentioned.
Given the success of different sons of Into Mischief at stud, it’s simple to see why Woodside is so excited to current this chance to Australian breeders.
Into Mischief and his sons have had constant success with a broad spectrum of sirelines, and Dodemaide is worked up concerning the new alternatives to match Laurel River with new Australian broodmare sires.
When a brand new first-season stallion has a world-class pedigree and confirmed efficiency, they demand consideration, and Laurel River will probably be no exception at a payment of AU$22,000 (about $15,843), payable on dwell foal.
Laurel River joins the Woodside roster alongside Celestial Legend, Benbatl , Shalaa, Wealthy Enuff, Foxwedge , and Delaware .
