Snitzel’s stupendous season continues
Snitzel was at the top of this game when this stunning photgraph was taken in 2018 - and he still is! (PHOTO: Bronwen Healy)
Snitzel’s stupendous season continued on Saturday when his 2YO sons Zafar and The Next Episode won Listed Races in New Zealand and Queensland.
It’s the Champion Sire’s 6th same-day 2YO stakes double, and his second in the past month after Campione D’Italia (Champagne S. G1) & Aurum Belle (Gimcrack S. G3) on 4 April.
It takes his 2025/26 progeny record to 18 winners of 29 stakes races, above Snitzel’s long-term season average, and includes 6 individual Group 1 winners – a new benchmark for him.
And there are 12 weekends to come before the season’s close on 31 July.
The Next Episode (ex Group winner Humma Humma by Denman) first made headlines as a Magic Millions yearling when he was purchased for $2.8 million – equalling the all-time record for a Snitzel yearling – by his trainer Ciaron Maher from Widden Stud, co-breeder of the colt with Warringah Stud Farm & Frampton Racing.
Sent to the spelling paddock after an unplaced debut in the Golden Gift at Rosehill in November, The Next Episode resumed with a maiden win at Warwick Farm in March, before a close second in the Kindergarten S. G3 at Randwick on 4 April. He then underlined his rapid progress by racing clear of his rivals to win Saturday’s $200,000 BRC Dalrello S. 1000m LR by almost 3 lengths.
The next episode drops – and it’s a blockbuster! 💥
What an impressive win to The Next Episode in the Dalrello Stakes, and by the look of things, this @cmaherracing galloper has plenty more episodes to come!@BrisRacingClub @RaceQLD pic.twitter.com/raPupuT9Sm
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 2, 2026
Stable representative Sam Cavanough said, “We always knew he was dynamic and he always shows plenty of ability at home. He’s got his manners intact today and didn’t make a mistake.
“He’s a very expensive colt, so full credit to the owners over in the UK and the bunch of very good supporters for the stable. He’s an absolute dude.”
Zafar (ex Zasorceress by Zabeel) started favourite on debut in the NZ$80,000 CJC Champagne S. 1200m LR at Riccarton and delivered in professional style for his Fortuna-managed syndicate and trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson. He is the 7th stakeswinner from 56 runners bred on the Snitzel/Zabeel cross.
Bred by Winton Bloodstock & Tom Payne, Zafar passed unsold through both the Inglis Easter & NZ Bloodstock Ready To Run sale-rings, but was subsequently sold for $165,000 to Fortuna & David Ellis.
Fortuna now has an excellent male Classic prospect for next season, to match Group 1-winning filly Lara Antipova (by Snitzel’s son Russian Revolution).
Two colts from Snitzel’s final, 68-foal crop will be offered at the upcoming Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.
