2025 TJ Smith Stakes: Ryan Moore to ride Switzerland with James McDonald in Dubai for Romantic Warrior

Coolmore supremo Tom Magnier has confirmed English superstar Ryan Moore will ride on Day One of The Championships at Royal Randwick next week.

Ryan Moore (right) will link up with top trainer Chris Waller aboard Switzerland in next week’s TJ Smith Stakes at Royal Randwick. Picture: John Feder / The Australian

Coolmore supremo Tom Magnier has confirmed English superstar Ryan Moore will ride on Day 1 of The Championships at Royal Randwick next week.

Magnier revealed Moore has been booked for Chris Waller’s crack colt Switzerland in the Group 1 $2.5m TJ Smith Stakes (1200m).

Moore is also expected to ride the Coolmore-owned, Ciaron Maher-trained State Visit in the Group 1 $1m Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

Moore is coming to Sydney for Day 1 of The Championships on April 5 as James McDonald will be overseas to ride Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior in the Group 1 Dubai Turf at the Dubai World Cup meeting.

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“We are delighted that Ryan has agreed to come to Sydney next week to ride for us,’’ Magnier told News Corp.

“Everyone knows Ryan is a world class jockey and we feel he’s a good fit for Switzerland.

“Chris (Waller) is happy with Switzerland and we do have a lot of faith in this colt so the TJ Smith Stakes is a very important race.’’

Switzerland, brilliant winner of the Coolmore Stud Stakes last spring, has been unplaced in two starts this autumn. He is at $11 in latest TAB Fixed Odds betting for the TJ Smith Stakes behind stablemate Joliestar at $3.50.

And the first Group 1 of the 2024 #MelbCupCarnival goes to...

SWITZERLAND for @mcacajamez and @cwallerracing 👏

🎥 @wwos | #DerbyDay | #MelbCupCarnivalpic.twitter.com/FwjHl9juG8

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 2, 2024

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Magnier said Moore was also in line to ride State Visit in the Sires after the two-year-old ran a blinder at his second start when a fast-finishing third in Skyhook’s Pago Pago.

But Golden Slipper runner-up Wodeton remains in work with Waller and could still line-up in the Sires.

“Ryan’s down to ride State Visit for us in the Sires,’’ Magnier said.

“We haven’t made a final decision on whether Wodeton goes to that race just yet.’’

Skyhook is going to the Golden Slipper! 💥

Skyhook wins the Pago Pago Stakes for @RARacing_! 👏 pic.twitter.com/HWVz4tmoea

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 15, 2025

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Moore is expected to pick up other rides at the Derby-Doncaster meeting next week.

McDonald misses Day One of The Championships to stay with Romantic Warrior and he will also ride for Coolmore and trainer Aidan O’Brien at the Dubai meeting.

Meanwhile, at the Randwick Kensington meeting on Wednesday, McDonald teams up with Coolmore and American owner John Stewart when he partners the Waller-trained first-starter Ernaux in the two-year-old fillies division over 1100m.

Ernaux is the superbly-bred I Am Invincible-Booker filly that was sold for $3 million at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale last year.

Another huge result for @coolmorestud as their I Am Invincible x Booker filly sells for a tremendous $3 million. Congratulations to @rresoluteracing on their purchase of Lot 443 at #InglisEasterpic.twitter.com/3TQ35Cb2og

— Inglis (@inglis_sales) April 8, 2024

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This is the second-highest price ever paid for a yearling filly in Australia behind the Pierro-Winx filly that sold for an extraordinary $10m at the same sale, a world record for a yearling filly.

Ernaux is making her debut alongside another high-priced yearling by super sire I Am Invincible, the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Thalestris (out of Notting Hill) that sold for $1.8m at Easter last year.

Another Million Dollar Lot with @yarramanpark’s Lot 186, I Am Invincible x Notting Hill, selling for a phenomenal $1.8m. Congratulations to @HilldeneFarm on their purchase of this gorgeous filly at #InglisEasterpic.twitter.com/mZXU8A6oUv

— Inglis (@inglis_sales) April 7, 2024

Both fillies have been very impressive in recent barrier trials and in early TAB Fixed Odds betting Ernaux is $3.50 favourite to make a winning debut with Thalestris at $7.50.

There’s also a couple of high-priced yearling purchases making their debuts in the colts and geldings division at Kensington with the Zoustar colt Nielsen Park ($650,000) and Farnan’s colt Farnicle ($600,000).

Another impressive trial by this unraced 2YO.

Outcast Ally (2f Pariah x Always Allison) for @BBakerRacing
$16k for @Darby_Racing from @TwinHillsStud at @inglis_sales HTBA.

3rd notable - Erneaux (2f I Am Invincible x Booker)
$3mil buy for @resracingky from @CoolmoreAus at… pic.twitter.com/p7YyPQeMXy

— Breednet (@BreednetNews) March 6, 2025

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Meanwhile, Melbourne’s wonder filly Treasurethe Moment has been installed as the new favourite at $2.80 for the Group 1 $2m ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick next week.

TAB Fixed Odds price assessors readjusted Derby betting after it was revealed owners Yulong were considering switching Treasurethe Moment to the Derby if she easily won the Group 1 $750,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.