Little Big Bear is a bay colt with no white markings bred in Ireland by the County Tipperary-based Camas Park Stud & Summerhill.
[2] He raced in the ownership of the Coolmore Stud partners Michael Tabor, Sue Magnier and Derrick Smith in association with Georg von Opel's Westerberg organisation.
Little Big Bear is from the fifth crop of foals sired by No Nay Never, an American horse who had his greatest success in Europe where he won the Norfolk Stakes and the Prix Morny as a juvenile in 2013.
[3] His dam Adventure Seeker showed some racing ability as she won the Listed Prix de Liancourt and finished fourth in the E P Taylor Stakes.
[6] For his next race the colt was sent to England and moved up in class for the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes over five furlongs on good to firm ground at Royal Ascot on 15 June.
He raced in second place before taking the lead two furlongs out and drew away in the closing stages to win "easily" by 4+3⁄4 lengths from Yosemite Valley.
Ryan said he couldn't believe how well he was travelling two out and when he asked him the response was very quick... when they are giving you that kind of feel you would have to think he's a Guineas horse".
Little Big Bear led from the start, repelled a challenge from Persian Force at the two furlong mark, and accelerated away from his opponents to win by seven lengths in "impressive" style.
[14] On 6 May Little Big Bear returned from an absence of nine months to contest the 2000 Guineas over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket Racecourse on soft ground and started the 5/1 third favourite behind Auguste Rodin and Chaldean.
[15] O'Brien felt that having to fly his horses to England a day earlier than planned owing to security measures surrounding the Coronation of King Charles III had badly affected their chances.
Ridden by Moore, he went into the lead a furlong out but was passed by Shaquille, trained by Julie Comacho, in the final 110 yards.