Switzerland to Retire to Coolmore in 2025

Coolmore’s stallion roster will welcome another elite sprinter in 2025, with Switzerland set to join Home Affairs in the barn following a stellar racing career that lived up to his hefty $1.5 million Inglis Easter yearling price tag. From the outset, Switzerland impressed as a juvenile, winning three on the trot and stamping his Golden Slipper credentials with a dominant Gr2 Todman Stakes victory. As a 3YO, the son of Snitzel rose to another level. He replicated Zoustar’s feat by completing the Gr2 Roman Consul–Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes double, stopping the clock in the Coolmore at a blistering 1:08.03 – breaking a long-standing race record and earning a Timeform rating of 125 (see below). That figure eclipsed former Coolmore Stud Stakes winners like Sepoy, Brazen Beau and Zoustar. Form analyst Daniel O’Sullivan noted: “His win in the Coolmore was a 106.3 rating, that was the dominant sprinter’s rating of the spring – 3YOs, older horses, or anything.” Coolmore Australia Principal Tom Magnier said the team had earmarked Switzerland for stallion duties from early on. “Switzerland is a horse that we have been looking forward to standing at Coolmore for a long time,” Magnier said. “He was always the head of his class… the fastest ever winner of the Coolmore Stud Stakes and the highest-rated spring three-year-old ever by Snitzel. He is a stunning horse – very straightforward to mate –and his American speed pedigree will really suit our broodmare band.” Champion jockey James McDonald was equally enthusiastic. “He was a dream to ride,” McDonald said. “He had so much pace and an incredible turn of foot, and he was push-button at that. Just an incredibly talented sprinter with a super attitude.” Trainer Chris Waller, who oversaw Switzerland’s career, recalled the confidence behind his purchase. “As his price tag suggests, he was an absolute standout at the sales. The whole team were adamant we should have him,” Waller said. “He had so much presence… and what a racehorse he turned into. They couldn’t touch him in the Todman, and he was electric again in the Coolmore. He’s a very special horse.” Switzerland will stand his first season at Coolmore at a fee of $60,500 (inc. GST).