The 2024 Coolmore Stud Stakes kicked off Group 1 racing on Victoria Derby Day in electrifying fashion, witnessing a masterful display by Chris Waller‘s Switzerland and his jockey James McDonald. This dominant win marks Waller’s sixth Coolmore Stud Stakes victory in 11 years.
2024 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Switzerland handed trainer Chris Waller his sixth win in the Flemington Group 1 in 11 years. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
McDonald, piloting Switzerland to victory, secured his third Coolmore Stud Stakes win in four years. He masterfully guided the colt through the final furlong, establishing a commanding 2.5-length lead over runner-up Bellatrix Star.
“This is one of the nicest colts I’ve sat on for a while. He’s been promising to do that,” McDonald told Channel 9
“He’d come out so alertly. Mind was straight on the job, and I’m absolutely delighted for him, delighted for the connections, and I’ve got an absolute star colt on my hands.”
McDonald’s exceptional tactics, coupled with Switzerland’s raw talent, proved unstoppable. After jumping best out, McDonald expertly settled the Snitzel colt, unleashing a powerful surge down the outside in the closing stages.
“He’s a very well-bred colt. He’s raced by some great racing enthusiasts that have supported me with a stallion fund, and it’s important to win these types of races – a little bit differently to the first race where we just had an unknown filly. The colts winning today, it really is a big deal on the big stage,” Waller said.
Waller hinted at potential international ambitions for Switzerland following his dazzling performance.
“Well, the beauty of winning a Group One race, it takes a little bit of pressure off,” he told Racing.com.
“We’ve got to just now maintain his value, so logically, races like the Newmarket and Royal Ascot would be in our consideration.”
The race delivered excitement beyond the winner’s circle. Bodyguard led initially but faded late, finishing last. Mark Walker‘s talented Bellatrix Star secured a well-deserved second place. A thrilling dead heat for third place resulted between Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot and the pre-race favorite Growing Empire, rounding out the Coolmore Stud Stakes trifecta.
2024 Coolmore Stud Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | SWITZERLAND | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 8 | 57kg | $5.50 | |||
| 2 | 14 | BELLATRIX STAR | Mark Walker | Blake Shinn | 2.75L | 11 | 55kg | $8.50 | ||
| 3 | 13 | LADY OF CAMELOT | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 3.1L | 4 | 55kg | $9.50 | ||
| 3 | 1 | GROWING EMPIRE | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 3.1L | 9 | 57kg | $3.80F | ||
| 5 | 8 | GATSBY’S | Chris Waller | Damian Lane | 3.56L | 7 | 57kg | $26 | ||
| 6 | 9 | STOLI BOLLI | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Luke Currie | 3.58L | 5 | 57kg | $51 | ||
| 7 | 2 | COLEMAN | Matt Laurie | Ethan Brown | 6.08L | 6 | 57kg | $14 | ||
| 8 | 4 | BITTERCREEK | Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin | Ben Allen | 6.48L | 13 | 57kg | $81 | ||
| 9 | 6 | FIRST SETTLER | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Michael Dee | 6.88L | 10 | 57kg | $18 | ||
| 10 | 3 | TRAFFIC WARDEN | James Cummings | Ms Jamie Kah | 9.13L | 3 | 57kg | $4.20 | ||
| 11 | 12 | GALLANT SON | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Nolen | 12.13L | 12 | 57kg | $31 | ||
| 12 | 10 | YOSHINOBU | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Jamie Mott | 13.63L | 1 | 57kg | $61 | ||
| 13 | 11 | ENRICHED | Michael Freedman | Jye McNeil | 14.38L | 14 | 57kg | $71 | ||
| 14 | 7 | BODYGUARD | Peter Snowden | Hugh Bowman | 21.38L | 2 | 57kg | $41 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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