Snitzel’s 16th stakeswinner of 2025

In so many ways, 2025 has been the year of Snitzel.

Arrowfield will always remember it as the year of his death at the age of 22, leaving breeders with a precious final two crops to see through the sale-rings of 2026 & 2027 and (we can say this with confidence) then cheer to notable success during the rest of this decade.  

But the statistical record will also show the last 12 months as a year of remarkable achievement by the four-time Champion Sire, who capped it on Saturday with his 16th individual stakeswinner of 2025, and No. 164 of his stupendous career.

That’s 3YO gelding Matias, the convincing and stylish winner of Saturday’s $300,000 BRC Grand Prix S. 1800m G3, with another Snitzel gelding, Agent Zero completing the quinella, and Tambeloa third. 

As it happens, Matias is also the 16th individual Snitzel stakeswinner prepared by Snitzel’s own trainer Gerald Ryan, now working in partnership with Sterling Alexiou.

The Grand Prix belongs to Matias – and that’s two in a row to the @RARacing_ trained galloper!@BrisRacingClub @RaceQLD pic.twitter.com/F6pMpyZyEZ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 20, 2025

Ryan explained Matias’ previous three performances, including his maiden win at Newcastle on 30 November.

“He didn’t like the real heavy track at Rosehill. He was unlucky at Canterbury. He won well the other day, but he was ridden too close to the lead.

“I don’t know about stretching him further at this stage of his career. I wouldn’t mind taking him home and giving him a break, not a long break, and seeing if he can measure up in the Autumn.”

Jockey Michael Rodd said, “That was really impressive. Watching his replays down south, he’s by Snitzel, he’s out of an Oaks-placing mare. You’re not sure what to expect.

“Gerald said ride him back a bit today. We had our hand forced anyway. He was a little bit slow out and horses came either side of us and popped us out the back. It was a blessing. They went along really quick, and he was loving the gallop.”

Bred by John & Erin Ramsay at Turangga Farm, Matias is the first foal of Never Listen (by Trusting), runner-up to Miami Bound in the 2019 VRC Oaks G1, and daughter of dual Group winner Rose O’War, also 2nd in Grand Archway’s VRC Oaks. 

Matias was offered by Kenmore Lodge on behalf of Turangga Farm at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale where he was purchased for $450,000 by Curran Bloodstock for TFI and Ron & Judy Wanless. 

Never Listen’s 2YO filly by Snitzel also made $450,000, at this year’s Inglis Easter Sale where she was offered by Davali Thoroughbreds and knocked down to the bid of Calico Bloodstock.

Kenmore Lodge will present Matias’ full brother as Lot 703 at Magic Millions 2026. The mare has a colt foal by Hitotsu and is in foal to The Autumn Sun.