Racing world in mourning after death of champion sire Snitzel

The horse racing industry is in mourning after the death of four-time Australian champion stallion Snitzel.

Arrowfield Stud issued a statement on Wednesday morning, revealing that their legendary sire had passed away at the age of 23.

Scroll to read the full Arrowfield statement.

Snitzel had been in decline for the past 12 months due to a liver issue.

Arrowfield said he had deteriorated “rapidly” over the past week.

“With no treatment options remaining, the decision was made to allow him a peaceful and dignified farewell,” Arrowfield said in a statement.

“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 a star sprinter and in 2006 won the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.

But when he retired to stud, not long after that race, he really made a name for himself.

Among Snitzel’s achievements as a sire are three Golden Slippers, a Cox Plate, two Everests, four Guineas’, two Golden Roses and a Flight Stakes.

In fact, he sired 23 Group 1 winners, 160 individual stakes winners, and 1281 winners from 1631 runners. His progeny has collected over $270 million in winnings.

“We are all devastated by what’s happened,’‘ Arrowfield chair John Messara said.

Global Racing society said: “Absolute tragic news from Arrowfield — what a legacy Snitzel leaves on the track, off the track and now with sire sons and broodmares carrying on such a rich legacy.”

Racing presenter Isabella King said: “Thank you for everything, Snitzel.”

Jockey coach Dean Pettit said: “Anyone who rode one or trained one knew this horses champion qualities as a sire ... fast horse, champion stallion. Snitzel a life-changing horse.”

Racing host and producer Caroline Searcy said: “How terribly sad for all close to the great 4 time Champion Australian sire, Snitzel. Thoughts with the entire Arrowfield team. What a legend.”

Arrowfield full statement on champion sire Snitzel

This morning, Snitzel was humanely euthanised at Arrowfield Stud, his home for nearly two decades and the base for one of the most exceptional stallion careers in Australian thoroughbred breeding history.

Known for his soundness and vitality throughout most of his life, Snitzel began to show signs of age-related decline in 2024. Despite comprehensive veterinary support and the daily dedication of Arrowfield’s experienced stallion team, his condition deteriorated rapidly over the past week. With no treatment options remaining, the decision was made to allow him a peaceful and dignified farewell.

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 farm also recognises the many people and partnerships that made Snitzel’s career possible. These include breeder Francois Naude; trainer Gerald Ryan, who managed his racing career; the ownership partners who supported his stud career from the beginning; and the many breeders, buyers, trainers and jockeys who contributed to the success of his progeny across Australia and internationally.

Snitzel, a son of Redoute’s Choice and grandson of Danehill, was a Group 1-winning sprinter on the track and became an era-defining sire at stud. From the time he joined the Arrowfield roster in 2006, his trajectory was marked by consistent excellence and broad influence. He would go on to sire 160 stakeswinners, including multiple Group 1 champions and leave an indelible mark on the national breeding landscape.

Snitzel’s influence extends well beyond Arrowfield. His dominance of Australian sire rankings, his versatility across sprinters and stayers, and his ability to upgrade his mares made him one of the most valuable and reliable stallions of the modern era. His sons and daughters have carried his qualities forward and are already proving themselves in the breeding shed, ensuring that his legacy will continue.

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.

Yesterday at Seymour, a two-year-old colt trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr became Snitzel’s 20th individual juvenile winner for the season, helping to secure his fifth Australian 2YO Sires’ Premiership. The colt’s name, Job Done, could not have been more fitting.

Job done, indeed!