Downbytheseaside - a sire on fire

Media Release by Woodlands Stud

Downbytheseaside is a sire making a splash in the harness racing scene already. Australasian trainers are impressed and his debut crop in North America are performing so well that he is the current leading 2-year-old sire overall – nearly $250,000 ahead of his closest pacing rival Captaintreacherous.

On the weekend the second round of heats for the Ohio Sires Stakes were held at Scioto Downs and the progeny of Downbytheseaside picked up five of the seven races, including two trifectas and one first four. Adding this to his results from the first round of heats, his progeny have won 11 of the 16 heats run so far. There are two more days of heats to be held in August and the finals are being held on September 5th at Northfield Park.

An extremely promising sign for Australasian breeders is that he seems to be crossing with a range of different broodmare sires that are prominent down under. Arguably his two best on paper in the US so far are a colt called Sling Shock, who is out of an Art Major mare and a filly named Sea Silk, out of a Bettor’s Delight mare. Other strong crosses seem to be with Rocknroll Hanover and Rock N Roll Heaven mares as well as McArdle, Artsplace, Sportswriter and Real Desire mares.

Here in Australasia, trainers are continuing to be impressed by their yearlings and how they are progressing in training. Leading New Zealand trainer Robert Dunn purchased a colt at the NZB Standardbred All Age Sale last year and is excited to see what his colt out of the Christian Cullen mare Lislass can achieve on the track.

“I went to the weanling sales last year and bought one of the nicest colts I’ve seen for a long time and finished up buying him,” said Dunn.

Well-known breaker and trainer Ross Houghton has done the breaking in and the early work with the colt so far.

“He’s broken in and Ross Houghton loves him.”

“He’s well in advance on most yearlings around as he’s into his third prep now. He’ll be seen at the trials early in the new season,” Dunn stated.

An exciting prospect and Dunn has been so pleased with what he’s seen so far that he is now breeding one of his own.

“He’s a lovely looking horse and a magnificent pacer. I was that impressed I went and booked a mare to him last season and bred one that’s due early in the new season,” said Dunn.

Watch the video to see footage of the colt working.

He sure is a sire on fire and set to make a big impact in both hemispheres.