Snitzel leads the 2YO Sires’ Premiership

When The Next Episode raced away with the $1 million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast on Friday evening, 
he confirmed his status as one of next season’s brightest 3YO prospects, with the Coolmore Stud S. G1 his major Spring target.

His 3 wins from five starts, including the Dalrello S. LR, have added $804,000 to the earnings of Snitzel, propelling the multiple Champion Sire to the top of the current Australian 2YO Sires’ Premiership, just ahead of Home Affairs, sire of Natural Fling, Friday’s runner-up to The Next Episode.

On track for his 5th General Sires’ title, with a $5.8 million break on Zoustar, Snitzel is already a five-time Champion Sire of 2YOs, most recently last season when his major earner was Golden Slipper G1 winner Marhoona.

Worldwide this season, Snitzel has compiled 19 winners of 31 stakes races and almost A$29 million, including 6 individual Group 1 winners (Baraqiel, Marhoona, Lazzura, Transatlantic and 2YOs Fireball & Campione D’Italia). Their six Group 1 victories match Snitzel’s record last season and in 2016/17, but in both those cases they were achieved by 4 individual horses.  

“Hey Siri, play The Next Episode by Dr. Dre.” 🎶

The $2.8 million colt lets rip down the outside and shows a sharp turn of foot to claim the $1 million @mmsnippets National Classic in style at the @GCTurfClub 👊#QLDisRacing pic.twitter.com/ajCP6vB99H

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) May 22, 2026

The Next Episode’s jockey Jason Collett said, “He’s a jet, his turn of foot is electric. I don’t think I’ve ridden a horse with such an electric turn of foot, it’s exciting.”

That opinion is shared by trainer Ciaron Maher who said, “He’s a very, very good colt. He showed us he had plenty of ability early and we just had to wait for him and this prep he’s really shown his class.”

The Next Episode became the equal top-priced yearling of Snitzel’s career when purchased for $2.8 million by Ciaron Maher from Widden Stud’s Magic Millions draft in 2025. He is already one of 13 seven-figure Snitzel yearlings that have become stakeswinners and will get his chance in 2026/27 to join Estijaab, Return To Conquer, Switzerland and Wandjina as Group 1 winners in that category.

67 yearlings from Snitzel’s second-last crop have already averaged $623,690, with nine selling for $1 million or more, up to the $2 million paid by James Harron, Tony Fung & Coolmore for Arrowfield’s full brother to Switzerland at Inglis Easter.

Snitzel’s daughter Moldova, dam of Group 1 winner Captured By Love and in foal to Home Affairs, was a $1 million Yulong purchase from the Inglis Chairman’s Sale earlier this month, and Arrowfield mare Shobu is among 25 Snitzel mares on offer at this week’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

The success of established sires Shamus Award & Russian Revolution, young Snitzel sire sons Trapeze Artist, Sword Of State and Wild Ruler, plus his broodmare daughters (dams of 14 SW in 2025/26 including the Tokyo NHK Mile G1 winner Rodeo Drive and 2YOs Chayan & Incandescent) has undoubtedly sharpened the demand for his genetics. However, as Snitzel’s extraordinary record continues to grow, the opportunities to buy his young progeny are rapidly diminishing. 

Snitzel’s 5 Magic Millions National yearlings (4 colts & one filly, offered by Arrowfield, Baramul Stud & KBL Thoroughbreds) go through the ring on 1 & 2 June.

And yearlings from his final, 67-foal 2025 crop will be offered in 2027.