KZN breeders.co.za have reported that Rathmor Stud have sadly lost their resident sire, Woodborough(USA), over the weekend.

Mike McHardy said that Woodborough's passing was a very sad loss for Rathmor, describing him as being “very special.” Woodborough was the first stallion to stand at Rathmor Stud.
An eye-catching chestnut stallion - very typical of a sprinter - strong hindquarters and a lovely topline, he had a big honest eye with a striking blaze running down his face, and a very kind and gentle disposition – yet he carried that ‘presence’ that many champion Thoroughbreds do – that special something that sets them apart from the rest.

Woodborough would always emerge through the fir trees surrounding his paddock that divided his and that of Strategic News, walking over very eagerly to approach any visitors who passed by his fence for attention and a rub - he was impossible to resist.

The only son of Woodman to stand in South Africa, he was out of Gr 1 placed Performing Arts by The Minstrel(CAN). Woodman has produced the likes of Hansel, Timber Country, Hector Protector and Bosra Sham.

Racing in England, Ireland and France, he was voted the Joint highest rated two-year old in Ireland in 1995, with a Timeform Rating of 112 at 3. A winner of the Gr 3 Anglesey Stakes over 1250m, he also placed second in two Gr 1s (the Phoenix and Middle Park Stakes respectively) and a third in the Gr 1 Prix de Salamandre, and the Gr 2 Temple Stakes.
Woodborough began his stud career in New Zealand, and in 1997 he was Champion First Season sire in 2001/2002. He went to stud in Ireland in 1998 and became Leading first and Leading second crop sire in the UK in 2001/2002. He was sent to stud in South Africa in 2003.
He produced Gr 1/2/3 winner Egyptian Ra – a winner in Hong Kong and New Zealand, as well as Gr 1 winner Donna Rosita, and Gr 3 winners Bank Note (New Zealand), Multiple Choice(USA) and Yomalo(IRE) along with seven other Bold Black Type winners.

A stallion that consistently produced winners, his success in South Africa included Thandolwami - Gr 3 winner of the Champion Challenge and placing second in the Gr 2 November Handicap, the Gr 3 King’s Cup twice as well as the Godolphin Barb Stakes – and Wood Be Magic, Gr 3 Christmas Handicap winner.

His other Black Type successes include Diego, Execute, Aim High and more recently In Extreme who finished a close second in the Dahlia Listed as well as Be Assured who won the Hampton Handicap Listed at the Vaal.

Rathmor currently stand sires' Bezrin(USA) and Strategic News(AUS)