Laurel River will stand at Woodside Park Stud in Victoria for the 2026 southern hemisphere breeding season, arriving from Big Red Farm in Japan where he is based in the Northern Hemisphere. The Into Mischief colt won six of 11 starts and banked over $7.5 million across a career that spanned sprint and middle distances.

Meydan triumph defines career

His defining moment came under Bhupat Seemar at Meydan. After winning the Burj Nahaar (G3), Laurel River demolished the 2024 Dubai World Cup (G1) field by 8½ lengths in a performance that elevated him to a Longines World's Best Racehorse rating of 128. That mark placed him level with City of Troy (Justify) at the top of the 2024 rankings.

Mark Dodemaide, nominations manager for Woodside Park, framed the significance of securing such a horse. "When you have a rating of 128 and you are the best horse in the world, you are at the top of the tree," he said, adding that Laurel River was an exceptional racehorse.

The stallion began his racing career with Bob Baffert, carrying Juddmonte silks, before relocating to Dubai. He proved effective from sprint trips through to 2000 metres, a range that underpins his appeal as a sire prospect.

Into Mischief influence lands in Australia

Laurel River's service fee has been set at A$22,000 (US$15,800) on a live foal basis. Woodside Park is banking on the Into Mischief sireline translating to Australian conditions, particularly the stallion's proven capacity to produce precocious, fast two-year-olds in North America.

The stud's existing roster includes Celestial Legend (Dundeel), Benbatl (Dubawi), and Shalaa (Invincible Spirit). Laurel River's maternal grandsire is Empire Maker.

The shuttle arrangement gives Australian breeders access to a stallion with elite race credentials and an immediate genetic link to one of the most commercially dominant sire lines operating globally.

Image DRC