Originally prepared in New Zealand by Daniel Miller, for whom he won a trial at Te Aroha, I’m Thunderstruck was purchased by OTI Racing, and went on to win seven of his 23 starts, with a further 8 placings, in the process becoming renowned for his thrilling come-from-behind running style. NZ breeders Tony Forlong and Jenny Jones at Epona Stud knew he was special as a foal, with AC/DC fan Forlong responsible for naming him.

By Rich Hill Stud stallion Shocking, I’m Thunderstruck is out of the Edenwold mare Primadonna Girl. When arriving in Australia he was placed with the Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr) Cranbourne stables.

I'm Thunderstruck drove hard and hung on to win a 1200m three-year-old Maiden at Caulfield in early January 2021. He returned in June and cruised clear to bolt in over 1200m at Sandown in a C1 Handicap and then ran 3rd at Caulfield over 1440m with Mark Zahra aboard. The bay colt had two more runs as a 3yo, winning both. Firstly, at Flemington, then Moonee Valley, beating Tuvalu both times with Jamie Kah steering. His white nose blaze coupled with the white blinkers hood made I'm Thunderstruck hard to miss out on the track.

Back in the spring, I'm Thunderstruck took on the big guns at Caulfield in the Gr.1 Rupert Clark Stakes (1400m), where he was bumped off balance at the 300m but charged home wide out to finish close up 3rd behind Sierra Sue and Dice Roll. In August he claimed his first Group one, winning the Toorak Handicap (1600m), taking the lead at the 100m and proving too strong for Tofane. Later in the month he won a 1500m 4YO set weights race at Rosehill and then went out until February. He returned and finished 5th in both the Gr.1 CF Orr Stakes and thr Futurity Stakes at Caulfield, making up ground but leaving his run far too late. The gelding came in second to Zaaki in the WFA All-Star Mile, where he was held up and eased wide. He was also the runner-up to Mr Brightside in the Gr.1 2022 Doncaster Handicap in April, finishing ahead of Icebath.

A poor performance next up in the Queen Elizabeth II behind Think It Over saw a 20 week break for the horse. Resuming in late August he ran 2nd to Snapdancer in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) before a grand display in the Gr.1 Maykbe Diva (1600m) when held up twice but managing to get the best of Alligator Blood and Mo'unga on the line. The Gator turned the tables at Sandown in the Underwood, but back at Caulfield I'm Thunderstruck chased home the brilliant Anamoe in the Gr.1 Might and Power. The Blue Army of Anamoe then got the job done in the Gr.1 2022 Cox Plate (2040m), however after being tightened, I'm Thunderstruck charged through to the line, desperately unlucky, missing by 0.4L with a fantastic run. A 5th to Zaaki in the Champions Stakes during the Melbourne Cup Carnival ended his campaign.

I'm Thunderstruck would only races four more times, with the best results being a 4th to Jacquinot in the CFF Orr Stakes and a 3rd to Alligator Blood in the Futurity. Regular stoushes with a good group of weight-for-age adversaries which included Anamoe, Mr Brightside and Alligator Blood made for fascinating viewing and the classy son of Shocking always gave his best but far too often charged to the line late and missed out on glory.

Tragedy struck for the connections of Cox Plate runner-up I’m Thunderstruck after their much-loved horse had to be euthanised after sustaining injuries in a post-surgery accident in 2023. The connections and race fans were caught off guard as he was a much admired horse that race-goers loved to support and see fly late.

RACE RECORD - 23: 7-5-3

EARNINGS - $8,351,000

G1 Maykbe Diva  

G1 Toorak Handicap

Golden Eagle