Tributes flow for champion stud

Four-time champion Australian sire Snitzel has died after a glittering stud career which produced 23 individual group 1 winners, sales of some $450 million and prizemoney of $273 million worldwide.

A son of another champion stallion, Redoute’s Choice, Snitzel was euthanised on Wednesday morning at age 22 at Arrowfield Stud in Scone after showing “signs of age-related decline” since last year.

“Despite comprehensive veterinary support and the daily dedication of Arrowfield’s experienced stallion team, his condition deteriorated rapidly over the past week,” Arrowfield Stud said in a statement. “With no treatment options remaining, the decision was made to allow him a peaceful and dignified farewell.”

Foaled on August 24, 2002, the son of by Snippets’ Lass won seven of his 15 starts on the track for Rosehill trainer Gerald Ryan. The victories included the listed Breeders Plate on debut and the group 3 Skyline and Up And Coming Stakes, before his sole group 1 win in the Oakleigh Plate.

Starting his stud career in 2006, Snitzel went on to sire 160 stakes winners and was crowned champion Australian stallion four seasons in a row, from 2016-17 to 2019-20. His service fee last year was $247,500.

His champion progeny include Chris Waller-trained star filly Lady Shenandoah, two-time Everest champion Redzel, four-time group 1-winner Trapeze Artist and Golden Slipper winners Marhoona (2025), Estijaab (2018) and Shinzo (2023).

On Tuesday at Seymour, two-year-old colt Job Done became Snitzel’s 20th individual juvenile winner for the season. He will be part of Snitzel’s fifth Australian 2YO sires’ premiership.

Snitzel’s direct progeny have won $273,085,262 in prizemoney worldwide, with most of that success coming in Australia, where they have won $218,014,638 and 146 stakes races.

“Arrowfield acknowledges the profound impact of his passing, not only as the loss of a great horse, but as the end of a significant chapter in the stud’s history. Snitzel was more than a commercial success; he was a reliable and stoic presence who shaped the daily rhythm of life at the farm and anchored many careers,” the Arrowfield statement read

“Like his sire Redoute’s Choice and grandsire Danehill, Snitzel became a cornerstone not only of Arrowfield’s breeding program, but of the broader Australian thoroughbred industry. His contribution to the sport, measured in champions, premierships, and the people he brought together, will not be forgotten.”