Lime Country Relocating to Think Big Stud

Boutique Thoroughbred breeding and sales consignors Lime Country Thoroughbreds will relocate from their New Zealand property to leading owner Dato Tan Chin Nam's Think Big Stud in Australia's New South Wales Southern Highlands in February as part of a new partnership between the operations.

Established in 2007 by Greg and Jo Griffin, Lime Country's relocation to Australia is a next step toward focusing on trading mares and weanlings at the top of the market with new and existing business partners that have similar ambitions. Lime Country will continue to offer their current services of sales preparation, breaking, amd pre-training at its their new location.

Nonagenarion Dato Tan is a Malasyian-born entrepreneur and developer, and one of Australia's most successful owners. A close friend of the late and legendary trainer Bart Cummings, Dato Tan's successes since 1971 include four Melbourne Cups, three Cox Plates, a Caulfield Cup, three Derbies, two Australian Oaks, and many other group I races with top horses such as Think Big, Saintly, So You Think, Viewed, Catalan Opening, God's Own, Allez Wonder, Wonderful World, and most recently champions Faint Perfume, Norzita, and Eurozone.

Lime Country will relocate to Think Big Feb. 15, with its launch in the Australian market to coincide with the Inglis Easter yearling sale, in which its consignment will include a Redoutes Choice colt out of champion mare and multiple group I-winner Faint Perfume, bred by Dato Tan.

"We are honored that Dato Tan and his family have entrusted us with their stud and horses that will remain at the farm," Greg Griffin said. "We have spent the last 10 years building our business in New Zealand and this is the next natural step forward for us. We already have some fantastic Australian clients who we will enjoy being closer to, and we are keen to provide our clients in New Zealand and Asia, and new clients from America and Europe, our services for their Australian interests, too."

As part of the transaction, Dato Tan will retain ownership of the land.

"Dato is delighted with this outcome after exploring his options for the last few months," said Duncan Ramage, managing director of Think Big Stud and long-term racing manager for Dato Tan. "Passing the operations of the stud itself to Greg and Jo Griffin—a young, energetic, and ambitious couple—means his horses can remain at the property and continue to be cared for to the highest of standards."