Snitzel (horse)
| Snitzel | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Redoute's Choice |
| Grandsire | Danehill |
| Dam | Snippets' Lass |
| Damsire | Snippets |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 24 August 2002 |
| Died | 11 June 2025 (aged 22) |
| Country | Australia |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | F Naude |
| Owner | Arrowfield Stud |
| Trainer | Gerald Ryan |
| Record | 15: 7–1–3 |
| Earnings | A$ 1,031,500[1] |
| Major wins | |
| Breeders' Plate (2004) Tommy Smith Slipper (2004) Skyline Stakes (2005) Up and Coming Stakes (2005) Oakleigh Plate (2006) Challenge Stakes (2006) | |
| Awards | |
| Australian Champion Sire (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019) | |
Snitzel (24 August 2002 - 11 June 2025) was a Group 1 winning Australian thoroughbred racehorse and successful stallion, having sired over 100 individual stakes winners.[2]
Background
Bred by Francois Naude from the stakes-winning Snippets mare Snippets’ Lass, Snitzel was purchased for A$260,000 by his trainer Gerald Ryan for owners Damion and Camilla Flower at the 2004 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale.[3]
Racing career
2004/05: two-year-old season
Snitzel won his first three starts as a spring 2YO, including the Listed Breeders' Plate, and progressed to win the Skyline Stakes in February 2005. Snitzel started the short priced favourite for the 2YO Magic Millions Classic and Golden Slipper Stakes however he was unsuccessful in both races.
2005/06: three-year old season
Snitzel tasted Group 1 success as a three-year-old when successful in the Oakleigh Plate at the odds of 10/1. He was retired to stud duties after Arrowfield Stud purchased a significant ownership share in the horse. At the time of his retirement, Snitzel had won 7 races and over $1 million in prizemoney.
Stud career
Snitzel has proven to be one of Australia's most successful and expensive stallions with his service fee being in the Top 10 worldwide, being in 2018 a total of $220,000 per service.[4]
Stud fees: Snitzel has stood exclusively at Arrowfield Stud in New South Wales. His service fee progression has been $33,000 (2006), $22,000 (2007), $22,000 (2008), $22,000 (2009), $27,500 (2010), $27,500 (2011), $33,000 (2012), $49,500 (2013), $71,500 (2014), $88,000 (2015), $110,000 (2016), $176,000 (2017), $220,000 (2018), $220,000 (2019), $165,000 (2020), $165,000 (2021), $220,000 (2022).
Notable stock
Snitzel has sired 22 individual Group 1 winners:
c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding
| Foaled | Name | Sex | Major wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Hot Snitzel | g | BTC Cup |
| 2009 | Sizzling | c | BRC TJ Smith Stakes |
| 2009 | Snitzerland | f | Lightning Stakes |
| 2010 | Shamus Award | c | W S Cox Plate, Australian Guineas |
| 2010 | Sweet Idea | f | The Galaxy |
| 2011 | Wandjina | c | Australian Guineas |
| 2012 | Redzel | g | Doomben 10,000, Darley Classic |
| 2013 | Heavenly Blue | c | South African Classic |
| 2013 | Russian Revolution | c | The Galaxy, Oakleigh Plate |
| 2014 | I Am Excited | f | The Galaxy |
| 2014 | Invader | c | Sires' Produce Stakes |
| 2014 | Summer Passage | c | Sistema Stakes |
| 2014 | Trapeze Artist | c | Golden Rose Stakes, TJ Smith Stakes, All Aged Stakes, Canterbury Stakes |
| 2015 | Estijaab | f | Golden Slipper Stakes |
| 2017 | Wild Ruler | c | Moir Stakes |
| 2018 | In The Congo | c | Golden Rose Stakes |
| 2018 | Sword Of State | c | Sistema Stakes |
| 2018 | Yearning | f | The Thousand Guineas |
| 2020 | Shinzo | c | Golden Slipper |
| 2021 | Switzerland | c | Coolmore Stud Stakes |
| 2021 | Lady Shenandoah | f | Coolmore Classic, Surround Stakes, Flight Stakes |
| 2022 | Return To Conquer | c | Sistema Stakes |
Death
Snitzel began to show signs of age-related decline in 2024 and on 11 June 2025 was euthanised with no treatment options left available.[5]
Pedigree
| Sire Redoute's Choice (AUS) 1996 |
Danehill (USA) 1986 |
Danzig (USA) 1977 |
Northern Dancer (CAN) 1971 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pas de Nom (USA) 1968 | |||
| Razyana (USA) 1981 |
His Majesty (USA) 1968 | ||
| Spring Adieu (CAN) 1974 | |||
| Shantha's Choice (AUS) 1992 |
Canny Lad (AUS) 1987 |
Bletchingly (AUS) 1970 | |
| Jesmond Lass (AUS) 1975 | |||
| Dancing Show (USA) 1983 |
Nijinsky II (CAN) 1967 | ||
| Show Lady (USA) 1976 | |||
| Dam Snippets' Lass (AUS) 1993 |
Snippets (AUS) 1984 |
Lunchtime (GB) 1970 |
Silly Season (USA) 1962 |
| Great Occasion (GB) 1965 | |||
| Easy Date (AUS) 1977 |
Grand Chaudiere (USA) 1968 | ||
| Scampering (AUS) 1971 | |||
| Snow Finch (IRE) 1984 |
Storm Bird (CAN) 1978 |
Northern Dancer (CAN) 1971 | |
| South Ocean (CAN) 1967 | |||
| A Realgirl (USA) 1976 |
In Reality (USA) 1964 | ||
| Secret Verdict (USA) 1966 |
References
- ^ "Snitzel Horse Profile". racingaustralia.horse. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ "100 not out for Snitzel". racingandsports.com. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ "Messara reflects on Snitzels' success". racingandsports.com. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ Sexton, Nancy (January 7, 2019). "The world's ten most expensive stallions for 2019". Thoroughbred Racing Commentary. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
- ^ "Arrowfield mourns champion sire Snitzel". arrowfield.com.au. Retrieved 11 June 2025.