Nothin’ Leica Dane Laid to Rest

Sad news from Byerley Stud this week with the announcement former great racetrack warrior and Group I sire Nothin' Leica Dane was put down last Sunday at age 26.

From the second crop of Australian yearlings by champion sire Danehill (USA), Nothin' Leica Dane was a superstar for Gai Waterhouse winning six races and placing eight times from 27 starts before retiring with earnings in excess of $1.7 million.

He rose to fame during the 1995 spring carnival winning the Group I AJC Spring Champion Stakes and Group I VRC Victoria Derby defeating Cox Plate winner Octagonal before running the bravest of seconds in the Melbourne Cup with just 47.5kg and Shane Dye in the saddle.

In the autumn, he was one of four outstanding three year-olds known as 'the big four' - Nothin' Leica Dane, Octagonal , Saintly and Filante – they did battle in a series of races with the Group I STC Rosehill Guineas and AJC Australian Derby living long in the minds of punters and all who were there including me!

He campaigned on at the highest level and closed out his career with a run in the Arc de Triomphe in France before retiring to Byerley Stud.

Bred by Arrowfield Stud, Nothin' Leica Dane sired the winners of over $16million in prizemoney with his best offspring headed by Group I winners Hot Danish and Cinque Cento and is playing a role in the current spring carnival as he is the sire of the grand-dam of Victoria Derby favourite Thinkin' Big.

A big powerful colt that matured early, his tough constitution and robust attitude to life has seen him outlive the other members of the 'big four', Filante checking out in 2008, while Saintly and Octagonal departed in 2016… he always was the best stayer!

Nothin' Leica Dane will be fondly remembered by all who knew him and is survived by his best friend Sir Laurence, who is still going at the amazing age of 32!

Gai Waterhouse has often said Thinkin' Big reminds her very much of Nothin' Leica Dane and if he can channel a little of his class and stamina on Saturday week then the Blue Riband will surely be his.