Peter Snowden puts faith in filly to lead charge at Scone
Peter Snowden always tries to take decent chances to the Scone Cup carnival, when he heads back to where it all started for him.
And while he could not get a runner into the traditional headline race on Friday, the champion trainer is confident his team, especially Akaysha, have the form to deliver wins on Saturday's standalone card.
Akaysha spearheads the Scone born and bred horseman's hopes in the listed Woodlands Stakes (1100m) for two-year-old fillies, in which he also has Miss Freelove.
Akaysha has the distinction of beating Snowden's boom Snitzel colt Beadman, which won the group 3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic at the Gold Coast last Saturday by a remarkable eight lengths.
Beadman's brilliant win, after a strong victory at Newcastle, has put him into the market for the $20 million The Everest (1200m), but Snowden was looking at three-year-old features when the rising star returns from a spell.
'It's crazy saying that,' he said of Beadman being in The Everest discussion. 'But, I mean, he is a talented horse.
'The Coolmore is the race we are looking at, but there's a lot of water to go under the bridge before then. The San Domenico Stakes will probably be his first one back, then there's the Run to the Rose, the Golden Rose.'
While Beadman goes for a break, Akaysha gives Snowden another two-year-old for stakes targets.
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News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Trainer Gerald Ryan will unleash runners at Rosehill Gardens and Eagle Farm this Saturday
Master trainer Gerald Ryan was discussing his Saturday starters when inevitably the subject turned to his former brilliant sprinter and super sire Snitzel which died earlier this week. 'Snitzel was a terrific horse to a lot of people,'' Ryan said. 'His statistics as a stallion and all his stakes winners are just unbelievable.'' Ryan has trained more than 2000 winners including 25 at Group 1 level during his career and prepared some outstanding horses like Trapeze Artist, Clangalang, Snitzerland, Hurricane Sky and Paint but arguably Snitzel's win in the 2006 Oakleigh Plate was the most significant. It was an overdue Group 1 win for Snitzel that set him up for what was to be a hugely successful stallion career at Arrowfield Stud where he was four-time Australian Champion Sire. 'Snitzel deserved that Oakleigh Plate then next start he was unlucky not to beat Takeover Target in the Newmarket Handicap,'' Ryan recalled. 'We brought him back to Sydney and at his next start he won the Challenge Stakes in record time. He was an outstanding winner.'' Ryan, who trains in partnership with Sterling Alexiou these days, may not have a horse of Snitzel's ability running this weekend but his stable can still make a statement with Silentsar, Khumbila, High Blue Sea and Pajanti at their home track of Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Silentsar ($9) and dual entry Khumbila ($26) are likely to clash in the Midway Handicap (1200m). 'We have Khumbila for the 1300m race as well but if he runs it will be in the Midway,'' Ryan said. 'But Silentsar would be the pick of our two because of his racing pattern which is suited around Rosehill. He will be up in the first three or four, he's fit and he goes well fresh.'' High Blue Sea is resuming in the Captivant At Kia Ora Handicap (1300m) but seems at generous odds of $17 given he usually sprints well fresh. Ryan said High Blue Sea is set-up to run well provided the Rosehill track rating stays a soft 6 or even improves for raceday. 'High Blue Sea has returned really well, we've been very happy with his trials and his work,'' he said. Pajanti ($16) disappointed last start but Ryan felt the mare had genuine excuses when unplaced behind Liberty State last start and can run an improved race in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1300m). 'She got further back than I thought she would last start then didn't have a lot of galloping room in the straight,'' Ryan said. 'She doesn't like being hemmed in too tight, either. 'We gave her a month between runs going into that race and she seems to have bounced back well. Her previous run at Randwick first-up was terrific.'' The Ryan and Alexiou stable also has big-race chances at Eagle Farm with Just Party in the Group 3 $200,000 Gunsynd Classic (1600m) and Arctic Glamour first-up in the Group 2 $300,000 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m). Just Party resumed with a fast-finishing second to Media World in the Hawkesbury Guineas but then ran below his best when down the track behind Spicy Martini in the Fred Best Classic. 'When the Eagle Farm meeting was called off that day and the race (Fred Best) was switched to Doomben over 1350m that was the last place I would run that horse but he had to have the run,'' Ryan said. 'He has done everything right since and worked nicely Tuesday. With the 1600m at Eagle Farm and a firmer track, he will run well. 'Arctic Glamour is going really good but she never draws a barrier. She has missed a beat since she got to Brisbane earlier in the week and she just needs a bit of luck in the run.'
7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
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!
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Super stallion Snitzel has died aged 23 leaving behind a remarkable legacy on world thoroughbred racing
Arrowfield Stud's super sire Snitzel, the nation's four-time champion stallion, has died. He was 23. John Messara, Arrowfield's chairman, told News Corp Snitzel passed away just after 11am on Wednesday. 'We are all devastated by what's happened,'' Messara said. 'Snitzel had not been well over the last 12 months with a liver complaint but he has gone downhill rapidly the last few days. I'm still in a state of shock.'' • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! A former outstanding sprinter, Snitzel won the 2006 Group 1 Oakleigh Plate before retiring to stud where he forged a deserved reputation as one of the all-time great stallions. Snitzel has sired 23 individual Group 1 winners and more than 150 individual stakes winners including three Golden Slippers, two The Everests, a Cox Plate, two Golden Roses, four Guineas', a Flight Stakes, two Magic Millions 2yo Classics, an Inglis Sires trifecta and most of Australia's feature sprints. The acclaimed stallion's best progeny included Redzel, Lady Shenandoah, Trapeze Artist, Russian Revolution, Shamus Award, Snitzerland, Switzerland, Wild Ruler, Sweet Idea, Estijaab and Marhoona. Boasting more than 1600 race wins as a sire, his progeny won just $273 million in stakes. Snitzel was a four-time Australian Champion Sire, four-time Champion 2YO Sire, two-time Champion 3YO Sire, and five Inglis Easter sale-toppers and 71 yearlings that have sold for $1 million or more. The super stallion has averaged 24 stakes wins every season for a decade and at the southern hemisphere's premier yearling sale, Inglis Australian Easter Sale, he had seven $1 million-plus lots, including a $2.7 million full brother to Switzerland for a sale-high average of $708,000 for his 32 yearlings. Snitzel, like his sire and former Arrowfield great Redoute's Choice, is creating his own legacy with 17 stakes-siring sons and his broodmare daughters are already the source of 46 stakes winners. The great Snitzel is currently fourth on the Australian Champion Sires rankings for 2024-25 with more than $20.7 million but is also the leading sire for individual stakes winners and stakes wins. There was a real poignancy to Snitzel's last winner before his death – a two-year-old first starter at Seymour on Monday called 'Job Done'.
