Sire Laurel River to Shuttle From Japan to Australia

Laurel River—a group 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 bring the former Juddmonte-owned 2024 Dubai World Cup (G1) winner to Australia from his Northern Hemisphere base at Japan's Big Red Farm, presenting Australian breeders a rare chance to access the Into Mischief bloodline through a world-class champion racehorse. Born at Juddmonte Farms' United States base near Lexington, Laurel River campaigned successfully in the silks of the late Prince Khalid bin Abdullah. Laurel River won six of his 11 starts and over $7.5 million in prize money. His racing style reflects his pedigree: an explosive mix of Into Mischief speed and precocity with enough stamina to dominate the world's best over 2000 meters. Laurel River's career began in the Southern California barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, and his talent was evident early, breaking his maiden at his second start in 2021 by 4 1/2 lengths before a second in the Lazaro Barrera Stakes (G3) in his third start. His subsequent U.S. campaign culminated with a dominant victory in the 2022 Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2), defeating elite-level winners American Theorem, Speaker's Corner, Senor Buscador, and Get Her Number, and ultimately a switch to Dubai-based trainer Bhupat Seemar. Following a group 3 romp in the 2024 Burj Nahaar (G3) at Meydan, Laurel River was tested beyond the mile for the first and only time in his career, resulting in his crowning moment: a record-breaking, 8 1/2-length victory in the $12 million Dubai World Cup. Laurel River was subsequently named Longines World's Best Racehorse in 2024, with a rating of 128, equal to City of Troy and above the likes of Via Sistina (IRE) and Romantic Warrior (IRE). Woodside's stallion nominations manager, Mark Dodemaide, is enthused to have a stallion of Laurel River's caliber join the roster. "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. Given the success of other sons of Into Mischief at stud, it is easy to see why Woodside is so excited to present this opportunity to Australian breeders. Into Mischief and his sons have had consistent success with a broad spectrum of sirelines, and Dodemaide is excited about the new opportunities to match Laurel River with new Australian broodmare sires. When a new first-season stallion has a world-class pedigree and proven performance, they demand attention, and Laurel River will be no exception at a fee of AU$22,000 (about $15,843), payable on live foal. Laurel River joins the Woodside roster alongside Celestial Legend (AUS), Benbatl (GB), Shalaa (AUS), Rich Enuff (AUS), Foxwedge (AUS), and Delaware (GB).