Snitzel achieves fifth Champion Stallion title

In a significant achievement for Australian breeding, Snitzel has re-established himself as the nation's Champion Stallion for the 2025/26 season. This marks a historic moment, as he becomes only the second sire in history to regain this prestigious title after holding it for a minimum of four consecutive years.

The renowned Arrowfield Stud stallion had a dominant run, leading the General Sires' Premiership from 2016/17 through to 2019/20. He then saw the crown pass to Written Tycoon, followed by I Am Invincible's three-year streak, and last season's winner, Zoustar.

Historically, only the legendary Star Kingdom has managed to reclaim the top honour after a sustained period of dominance, winning four titles consecutively from 1959 to 1962 before regaining it in 1965.

Snitzel has now joined this elite group.

His progeny amassed a remarkable $26,029,187 in prizemoney during the 2025/26 season, finishing comfortably over $4 million ahead of Zoustar to claim his fifth Champion Stallion title.

This latest success comes 10 seasons after his first premiership, a testament to his enduring influence. This longevity is rivalled only by his grandsire, Danehill, who achieved nine titles across 11 seasons, and Better Boy, whose four premierships were spread over 12 seasons.

"He was a marvellous stallion for the farm," commented Arrowfield principal John Messara. "Following on from Redoute's Choice he was a worthy contender and also from the same sire line. It's been great that we've had Danehill, then Redoute's, then this bloke off that one sire line."

Messara added, "He (Snitzel) started off in a fairly humble way, but over time he's built his record up and now he's very much at the top of the game. We're just sorry that he's gone, but he did a wonderful job while he was here and we're very grateful to him."

Snitzel, who passed away last June just shy of his 22nd birthday, was represented by 291 runners throughout the season. These horses achieved 146 individual wins, contributing to a total of 226 victories.

His influence was strongly felt at the elite level, producing a career-best six individual Group 1 winners. Baraqiel triumphed in the Moir Stakes, Transatlantic captured the Toorak Handicap, Lazzura claimed the Coolmore Classic, and the Golden Slipper winner Marhoona added the The Galaxy to her impressive record.

Campione D'Italia and Fireball completed the Group 1 success by winning the ATC Sires' Produce Stakes and the Champagne Stakes respectively.

These two victories in juvenile races also were instrumental in Snitzel edging out Home Affairs in a tight contest for the Champion Two-Year-Old Stallion title. His two-year-olds earned $4,988,245 for the season, finishing less than $20,000 ahead of Home Affairs, whose first crop included the Golden Slipper winner Guest House.

This is the first time since 2020 that the Champion Two-Year-Old Stallion title has been won by a sire other than the father of the Golden Slipper winner, a feat Snitzel himself accomplished five years prior.

Snitzel concluded the season with 32 stakes wins, his highest tally since his career-best 2016/17 campaign when he achieved 45 wins. The number of individual stakes winners also increased to 175.

Although his influence will naturally decline as his final crops reach the racetrack, Messara remains optimistic about the champion stallion's continued presence. "We've got some nice yearlings for next season, he had some nice yearlings last season that'll come out as two-year-olds very shortly, so hopefully he's got another couple of seasons," Messara stated. "The game is not over."

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