The 2024 Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Laurel River has been sold and will take up stallion duties this season at Japan's Big Red Farm in Hokkaido, Juddmonte announced March 12.
A second-generation Kentucky homebred for Juddmonte, Laurel River won six times during his career for the Abdullah family's operation.
The son of Into Mischief was campaigned by trainer Bob Baffert in the United States through his 4-year-old season, landing four of his seven starts in this period. That campaign culminated in victory in the 2022 Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2), where he defeated top-level winners American Theorem , Speaker's Corner , and Get Her Number.
Following a switch to Bhupat Seemar in 2024, Laurel River ran out a near 7-length winner of the Burj Nahaar (G3) at Meydan Racecourse before his career-best effort in the Dubai World Cup. There he delivered an impressive front-running victory, claiming honors by 8 1/2 lengths.
Laurel River was subsequently crowned Longines World's Best Racehorse in 2024, with a rating of 128, alongside City of Troy.
Laurel River is out of the Empire Maker mare Calm Water, who is a full sister to Juddmonte's grade 1 winner Emollient, and hails from the immediate family of graded/group winners Raclette and Spiced Up, and graded-placed stakes winners Hofburg and Courtier.
