Last of the High Chaparral’s

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday June 20
The last crop of foals by ill-fated Epsom Derby winner High Chaparral (IRE) will turn three at the end of this season and may provide a fitting finale to a wonderful career with a debut juvenile winner at Canterbury today showing the promise of classic success in the future.

Thinkin' Big as a foal at CoolmorePrepared by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, two year-old colt Thinkin' Big has his connections thinking just that after scoring a stylish half neck win on debut over 1100 metres, a distance well short of what may ultimately prove his best.

He showed good tactical speed to travel in second place and was strong to the line for Blake Shinn.

"He's a full brother to our Group III winner Stampede and to do what he's done today over this distance augers very well for his future," said Adrian Bott, who indicated Derby goals next season were in the pipeline for the promising colt.

Thinkin' Big was bred and retained to race by Peter Dunn of Dodmark Thoroughbreds and was foaled at Coolmore.

He is the second winner for classy Tale of the Cat (USA) staying filly Nothin Leica Cat, who was second in the Group I BRC Queensland Oaks and is from a half-sister to Group II winner I Am a Ripper.

Nothin' Leica Cat has a weanling filly by So You Think and was covered last spring by American Pharoah (USA).

Advertisment
More Reading...
Two Straight for Brother to G1W Switzerland - Brother at Inglis Easter
Down to a field of six with the top weight Master Of The Air likely to start in Saturday’s G2 Autumn Stakes at Caulfield and the other scratched runner racing earlier in the day, the Michael Freedman trained Decorum, a brother to G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Switzerland, recorded consecutive wins.
High Chaparral's Mississippi Delta From Last to First in Perth Cup
The late, great Coolmore stallion High Chaparral (IRE) may have celebrated more prestigious wins in his glittering career but Saturday was a real financial windfall for the son of Sadler’s Wells.
Stampede Runs Then Into The Ground in Colin Stephen
Stampede has been out of the winner’s circle since October last year but when the son of High Chaparral (IRE) is gifted an easy run in front, as he did in Saturday’s Group III Colin Stephen Stakes (2400m) at Randwick, he proves very difficult to get by.
Cool Classic Stars for Newhaven Park
Newhaven Park are being kept busy at Inglis Classic inspections this week with a draft of 14 that showcases eight youngsters by the farm’s promising young sire Cool Aza Beel.
People at Classic - Inspections Are Busy
Maree McEwan has been out and about talking to some of the major players at the Inglis Classic Sale where it’s fair to say things are busy with a big buying bench limbering up for Sunday’s kick off.
King of Karaka Counts Down to a Favourite Race Day
Fresh from claiming the title of leading buyer at Karaka for the 18th time, Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis is turning his attention to one of his highlights of the racing calendar at Te Rapa this Saturday.
Oaks Winner Strikes Form at Valley
Quality High Chaparral (IRE) mare Princess Jenni won the Group I SAJC Australasian Oaks last season at just her sixth start and showed she will be a force this spring when capturing the Group II MVRC Stocks Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Eight Yearlings for Goodwood Farm at Inglis Classic
Kerrie Tibbey’s Goodwood Farm have a rich history of producing G1 winners with the likes of Private Eye, Dance Hero, Rebel Dane, Sacred Choice and Manawanui and at this year’s Inglis Classic yearling sale will offer eight yearlings by a mix of proven and second crop sires.
Highview Announce Unreserved Deplenishing Sale On-Farm
Longstanding vendors Highview who have been selling yearlings since 1986, have announced the staging of an Unreserved Deplenishing Sale at its Hamilton property on Sunday 15 March 2026. 
$240,000 Night of Thunder Mare Mount Bona Tops Inglis Digital
Mount Bona (Night of Thunder) – a winner of her past three starts for Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich – topped today’s Inglis Digital February (Early) Online Sale, realising $240,000.