Thinkin’ Big Following in the Footsteps of Nothin’ Leica Dane

Media Release - Saturday October 20
The last crop of foals by ill-fated Epsom Derby winner High Chaparral (IRE) are three year-olds and they may provide a fitting finale to a wonderful stud career with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained colt Thinkin' Big now favourite for the Victoria Derby following an outstanding win in the Group III MRC Caulfield Classic on Saturday.



A full brother to Group III winner Stampede, Think' Big was an unlucky third at his last run in the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes, but more than made amends in this 2000 metre assignment.

Thinkin' Big - images Grant CourtneyPerfectly rated in front by Tim Clark, he powered away from his overmatched rivals to win as he pleased by a widening three lengths taking his overall record to four wins from six starts with prizemoney in excess of $480,000.

"He's a lovely horse," said Tim Clark.

"He's so easy to do anything with and for his first go at Caulfield he handled it so well. His attitude is his best attribute, he just wants to work with you."

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

He still holds an entry for the Melbourne Cup with his co-trainer Gai Waterhouse keen to wait and see how he comes out of this race before making any decisions.

"He'll stay all day," she said.

"On his dam's side he's from the family of Nothin' Leica Dane and he is so much like him."

Waterhouse trained Nothin' Leica Dane to win the Caulfield Classic (Norman Robinson Stakes) in 1995 before he went on to win the Victoria Derby and then finish second in the Melbourne Cup won by Doriemus.

Thinkin' Big 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 Oak and is from a half-sister to Group II winner I Am a Ripper.

Nothin' Leica Cat has a yearling filly by So You Think and has foaled this spring producing a colt by American Pharoah (USA).



Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
Toronado Winner Sign of Things to Come
So You Think and Dundeel have set a high standard for sire sons of the late Epsom Derby winner High Chaparral (IRE) with Swettenham Stud’s Toronado (IRE) also showing the promise of good things to come after making a strong start to the new season with his fifth winner since August 1 at Sale on Thursday.
$1million I Am Invincible Filly to Gai and Adrian
Champion sire I Am Invincible has already had two fillies sell for a million or more at the Gold Coast this year and had a third first thing on Thursday morning at Magic Millions.
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.
Pencarrow’s Elite 24-Strong Draft Selling at Karaka 2026
Karaka 2026 will mark 100 years of the National Yearling Sale, and Pencarrow Stud are pleased to offer another outstanding draft of 24 yearlings for their 31st year of selling under their own banner.
Big Payday for High Chaparral's A Man To Match
No black-type but a Group 1 prize for the connections of the High Chaparral (IRE) gelding A Man To Match who not only pocketed the $145,000 winners cheque as the inaugural winner of the $250,000 The Tab Wave (1800m) at the Gold Coast but had it topped off with another $200,000 for being a Magic Millions graduate.
Zoustar Mare Chasing Another G2
Stephen Marsh will be chasing a third victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham and is confident he has the firepower on reasonable ground to go close.
Anamoe Colt Bred on Magic Cross Sells for $850,000 to MyRacehorse
The first yearlings by Australian Horse of the Year Anamoe have been in hot demand this week at Magic Millions with two fillies selling for $800,000 and on Thursday that mark was surpassed by a gorgeous colt that made $850,000.
$575,000 Filly Puts Spotlight on Satono Aladdin
A Group I winning sprinter miler by Deep Impact, Satono Aladdin (Jpn) is already a G1 producing sire and is the equal most represented of all sires at Karaka 2026 with 54 entries and Australian buyers have been given a taste of things to come at Magic Millions.
Superstars at the Randwick Trials
Busy set of trials on Thursday morning with a big bearing on autumn feature races so let’s have a look at what unfolded – were you happy with your favourite?