Laurel River retired from racing and will take up stallion duties at Big Red Farm, Japan

Juddmonte announces that 2024 Gr.1 Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River (2018 b h Into Mischief – Calm Water) has been sold, and will take up stallion duties this season at Big Red Farm in Hokkaido, Japan.

A second-generation US homebred, Laurel River was a six-time winner for Juddmonte. Campaigned in North America as a three‑ and four‑year‑old, he captured four of his seven starts in this period. This campaign culminated in the Gr.2 Pat O’Brien Stakes, where he defeated Gr.1 winners American Theorem, Speaker’s Corner and Get Her Number.

Following a switch to Dubai-based trainer Bhupat Seemar in 2024, the son of Into Mischief went on to deliver a towering performance in the Gr.3 Burj Nahaar at Meydan, winning by a six and three-quarter length margin.

His crowning moment came on his next start, in the $12-million Gr.1 Dubai World Cup, where an impressive front-running performance saw him secure the victory by eight and a half lengths.

Laurel River was subsequently crowned Longines World's Best Racehorse in 2024, with a rating of 128.