About Us

In 1992 Dr. Charles Roberts and his veterinary partner Dr Andrew Grierson established Woodlands Stud. The name Woodlands Stud was the farm's original name dating back to the 1960's. 

In the first years of the operation Woodlands stood stallions on lease with mixed success. In 2006 Charles and Andrew took a new direction - securing sires by purchasing the southern hemisphere rights. With a positive approach to the future of the Standardbred Industry they purchased the controlling Southern Hemisphere rights to Bettor's Delight and then in 2007, American Ideal. Through the success of these Stallions and their predecessors, Woodlands Stud has established itself as the pre-eminent semen base in the southern hemisphere.

We mourn the loss of American Ideal in early 2024, but he is a sire whose legacy will live on forever in the harness racing industry due to the huge impact he has made in both hemispheres. Woodlands Stud’s mandate is to provide Australasian Breeders with affordable world class stallions, so in addition to our history making stallions we are also currently home to Downbytheseaside, What The Hill, Lather Up, Sweet Lou, and Speeding Spur.

Studmaster Tony Grayling leads a highly capable team who take immense pride in providing the best nursery for New Zealand's futures champions. Tony and his team take care of all aspects of the equine management onsite - breeding, foaling, weaning & yearling preparation.  Many of the horses reared by the team are offered for sale each year at the NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale in February and the Weanling Sale in May. Those few that are retained to be future Broodmares for the Stud are introduced to the Woodlands Partnership Syndicates to give people affordable access to racing horses.

The main stud is situated in Clevedon, with four additional farms being used as part of our operation. Providing quality feed for the horses on site is a top priority. Having the operation spread across the properties ensures we operate a strong pasture management strategy and that in-conjunction with additional nutritional supplementation from Dunstan Quality Horse Feeds ensure all horses are in the best possible condition. 

Our Clevedon base is a hive of activity over the season as it is home to the Stallions and is used as our foaling base, this property is rested over winter.  'Jacks Ridge' and our other properties provided first class facilities for weaning and yearling preparation and great wintering for mares and weanlings.

Over the years some of Australasia's leading racehorses have been bred and reared at Woodlands Stud. These include Adore Me, Have Faith in Me, Copy That, Pacing Major, Speeding Spur, Linda Love Grace, My Hard Copy, Spanish Armada and Party On.

We also take great pride in our Harness Racing community involvement both on and off the track, through our extensive race sponsorships, driver sponsorships and community support.