Naysayers looking to highlight the lack of success of expensive yearlings have been silenced in emphatic fashion at Flemington on Saturday when the two highest priced Snitzel colts sold in 2025 fought out the finish of the $2million Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
The equal most expensive yearling by champion sire Snitzel ever sold, $2.8million Magic Millions purchase The Next Episode was co-bred and sold by Widden Stud.
Trained by Ciaron Maher, The Next Episode started favourite off the back of a first up win in the Group II VRC Danehill Stakes at the start of the month and while that win was on a heavy 9, he produced the same acceleration today on a good surface.
Ridden by Mark Zahra, The Next Episode settled off the pace and swooped home late to beat the Chris Waller trained St Gotthard, who has taken the role of bridesmaid this spring.
Second to Warwoven in both the Group II ATC Run to the Rose and Group I ATC Golden Rose, St Gotthard was again forced to settle for second in a race won last year by his full brother Switzerland.
St Gotthard tried hard for James McDonald and made a real race of it with the margin of long head telling the story while unheralded Rubick colt Mbube ran on bravely for third.
Worth the wait ?? THE NEXT EPISODE delivers on the big stage, claiming Group 1 glory in the @coolmorestud Stakes. #DerbyDay https://t.co/8luUODE6nU
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) October 31, 2026
Mark Zahra is now two for two on The Next Episode.
“He actually travelled quite stronger than the other day. The other day he was a bit lackadaisical, but today I travelled really strong and I could see J-Mac on the inside,” he said.
"And actually when I went he dropped him really quick and the leaders stopped and he had a good look around, but then when he felt the other horse on the inside I picked him up and he went away it was a great victory."
With five wins and a placing from seven starts and prizemoney of $2.1million, The Next Episode has assured his future place on the Widden Stud roster.
“When you've got a colt with a record like he does, these are the stallion making races and you've got to perform on the big days. I was confident he was ready, the team and Jack have done a super job from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, just can't thank them enough,” said Ciaron Maher.
“I thank all the owners, he races in Phil Cunningham's colours, it's his first horse in Australia, I'm sure he'd be ready to buy a few more this year, plenty of other mates in the horse as well,
“Antony Thompson bred the horse, he's absolutely stoked and so am I, it doesn’t get much bigger than that.
“You want the pressure. That's what we get up in the morning for, to have a horse good enough to feel the pressure. He's a ripper and I think he's only going to get better as he gets older."
Bred in partnership by Widden, who retain a share in his ownership, The Next Episode runs for a syndicate of stable clients and carries the colours of his UK based part-owner Phil Cunningham.
He is a half-brother to Group III placed winner Price Tag and they are the first two foals from Group III winning Denman mare Humma Humma, a half-sister to stakes-winner Tycoon Humma.
Humma Humma was bought for $1million by Widden Stud off the track at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale and has produced four foals in a row before missing last spring.
She has a yearling filly by Zoustar and is now back foal to him again.
Widden Stud sold a yearling I Am Invincible colt from Humma Humma at Inglis Easter this year for $600,000 to McEvoy Mitchell Racing Pty Ltd / Belmont Bloodstock.
The Next Episode is the 29th G1 winner for Arrowfield Stud’s much missed champion sire Snitzel.
