Country publican banks on sire revival 

Steve Woodcock was a country publican in his late-20s when he decided to buy a couple of pacing broodmares to start his foray into harness racing. 

He didn’t have any horse knowledge or harness racing experience – he just fell in love with the sport while watching the races at work and decided to give it a go. 

That was 20 years ago, now Woodcock owns a stallion (Renaissance Man) and six broodmares and he has bought a property in Albany to develop his standardbred stud. 

“I used to watch the racing while I was working in the pub. For some reason, I really loved harness racing,” he said. 

“One day I just said ‘that is what I am going to do. I went out and bought two mares. One of them was Classic Rendezvous from Stan Hunter for $400 and the third foal I bred from her was Tajies Girl who won $120,000. 

“We only just lost Classic Rendezvous. She was 30 years old and it was tough to see her go. 

“I bought Tajies Girl back after she finished racing and we are breeding from her. She has a Renaissance Man colt in the sale.” 

Woodcock bought Renaissance Man in 2022 and brought him back to WA because he believed the stallion would make the perfect resident sire. 

Renaissance Man was an exceptional 2YO, winning seven races including the Group 1 NSW colts Sires Stakes final. He second in the Group 1 NSW Breeder Crown final. 

As a 3YO, he won the South Australia Derby and was third in the Australian Derby. 

He retired with 18 wins and $297,000 in stakes. 

The son of Art Major is regally bred. His dam. My Ami Lee, left nine winners of more than $1.6 million in stakes. 

His full sister Louvre (1.54.5) won $400,000 and his full brother My General Lee (1.52.6) banked $260,000. 

Renaissance Man began his stud career in WA in 2015. Despite limited numbers, he has recorded outstanding statistics. 

He has 52 winners from 122 foals of racing age (3YO and older) with stakes of $2.7 million. He has 76 per cent winners to starters and averages $40,000 per starter. 

His top earner is Arma Einstein (1.54.5, $358K). He has another three $200,000 earners and three $100,000 earners. 

“I sent mares to him when he was in WA. He has an outstanding record,” Woodcock said. 

“I had enquired about buying him previously but they took him back to stand in NSW. The owner contacted me one day and asked if I wanted to buy him. 

“He has done a great job with a small number of mares. I thought he would be a valuable sire in WA.” 

Woodcock has recently sold his hotel in Cranbrook and is in the process of developing a property in Albany to accommodate his growing herd. 

Woodcock will offer six yearlings at the 2025 APG Perth Yearling Sale on March 2 under the Woodanookie Pacing banner, all by Renaissance Man. 

Arguably, his most interesting youngster is a filly, Lot 474, registered as roan, from tough race mare Our Clarisa (1.58. $59K), who is a sister to 10 winners. 

Our Clarisa is a full sister to prolific country cups winner in NZ,, Artiface (1.56.5, $147K) and a half sister to Anna Livia, the dam of Golden Nugget winner Ana Malak (1.49.8, $358K) and Ana Afreet (1.48.6, $408K). 

“She is a roan, so I think she will attract some buyers. Not sure where it came from but her mother has a white fleck through her coat,” Woodcock said. 

“My pick of the six is the Allamericancougar filly, Lot 379. This is her third foal. Her first foal is Henwood Bay, who has won 24 and $192,000 and her second foal died. 

“This filly is a nice big scopey youngster. She gets across the ground so easy. She is mature and should make a 2YO.” 

Woodcock said all the youngsters were for genuine sale. 

For full details of these or any other yearlings in the 2025 Perth Yearling Sale please visit APG’s Online Sales Catalogue or Register as a Buyer today! 

From APG Ltd