Switzerland to Stand Stud at Coolmore Australia

The team at Coolmore Australia have already begun compiling a list of potential matches for Switzerland (AUS) after confirming that the dominant Coolmore Stud Stakes (G1) winner would join their 2025 stallion roster where he will stand for an introductory fee of AU$60,500 (US$38,720, AU$1=US$0.64). Principal Tom Magnier believes that figure represents "great value" for breeders after the curtain was drawn on Switzerland's 10-start racing career, which yielded five wins—three in stakes company, including the Todman Stakes (G2) as a juvenile and just shy of AU$2 million in earnings. Given the impression his fellow Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Home Affairs (AUS) has already made in his nascent stud career, Magnier was keen to maintain that momentum by bringing Switzerland north from Chris Waller's Rosehill stables to their sprawling farm at Jerrys Plains, where he will stand alongside fellow sons of Snitzel (AUS) in Shinzo (AUS) and Best Of Bordeaux (AUS). If their stallion ranks now represent an embarrassment of riches, much the same applies to an elite broodmare band which will be utilized to ensure Switzerland hits the ground running in the same imperious manner that he opened his career on the racetrack. One date already planned is with Fashion Faux Pas, the stakes-winning Flatter mare Coolmore recently acquired through the Inglis Digital Australia January (Late) Online Sale for AU$1.15 million having shelled out AU$1.7 million for her second foal, a colt by Snitzel from the Newgate draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. "There is no doubt that us and our partners in Switzerland will be supporting him with quality mares from the get-go," Magnier told ANZ Bloodstock Media. Having reinforced their stallion stock with the recent additions of their 2023 Golden Slipper (G1) victor Shinzo and multiple stakes winner Best Of Bordeaux, who also finished runner-up in the previous year's Slipper, Coolmore's fortunes are now closely aligned with that of Snitzel. Given that Arrowfield's flagbearer has now spent two decades in the stallion barn and his duties will be scaled back this year, the generational baton will soon be passed on and Magnier is confident that Switzerland and Shinzo are both well equipped to cement their super sire's long-term legacy. "Snitzel is one of the best stallions Australia has seen this century, and to now stand his two best-credentialled young sire sons—a Golden Slipper winner and now a Coolmore winner—alongside each other is a huge coup for the farm. "(Switzerland)'s win in the Coolmore was breathtaking and the form analysts backed it up with their ratings following the race," said Magnier. "Watching him win so impressively in the Coolmore brought back memories of Home Affairs winning in similar fashion a few years earlier, once again with James McDonald in the saddle for Chris Waller and his team. To now stand them alongside one another in the stallion barn is a huge thrill, and we are very grateful to Chris, James, and the whole team behind him." Switzerland's winning time of 1:08.03 under James McDonald was also the quickest recorded over the previous 20 years, with his near three-length victory in the stallion-making contest making it a question of when, rather than if, he would one day make his way into the breeding barn. Waller also poured praise on Switzerland, with the master trainer labeling Coolmore's AU$1.5 million purchase from the Arrowfield Stud draft "an absolute standout" at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. "He had so much presence, just a big, strong handsome colt with a beautiful action and what a racehorse he turned into. They couldn't touch him in the Todman, and he was electric again in the Coolmore. Switzerland is a very special horse, and I can't wait to see what he does in the next chapter." Coolmore, who paid AU$2.7 million to secure Switzerland's brother at the recent Inglis Easter auction, is expected to release the service fees for its full 2025 stallion roster next week.