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Australian racing immortal Might And Power dies after colic attack

Owner Nick Moraitis thanked God every day for having Might And Power in his life and said the champion racehorse, who died after a colic attack, had left him with a lot of great memories.

Leo Schlink
4 min read
April 12, 2020 - 5:11PM
Dutch model Lara Stone with 1997 Melbourne Cup winner Might and Power . . Pic: Michael Klein
Dutch model Lara Stone with 1997 Melbourne Cup winner Might and Power . . Pic: Michael Klein

Besotted to the end, Nick Moraitis insisted Might And Power was given the best possible chance of survival – and ultimately care – right up until the colossal staying star drew his last breath on Sunday morning.

Leading the tributes for the winner of Australian racing’s great trilogy – the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate, Moraitis was in constant contact with Living Legends CEO and veterinary director Andrew Clarke as Might And Power succumbed to colic.

“You have no idea how sad it is for me,’’ Moraitis said. “Might And Power was like family to me.

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Might and Power (Jim Cassidy) stretches out to defeat Doriemus (Greg Hall) by a nose to win the 1997 Melbourne Cup.
Might and Power (Jim Cassidy) stretches out to defeat Doriemus (Greg Hall) by a nose to win the 1997 Melbourne Cup.

“The (1997) Melbourne Cup was the highlight. Everyone who owns a racehorse wants to win the Melbourne Cup.

“He has left us with a lot of great memories. I thank God every day for having Might And Power in my life.’’

If not for Clarke and fellow vets, colic would have long ago killed 26-year-old Might And Power, who regularly suffered from the condition.

RELIVE MIGHT AND POWER’S CAULFIELD/MELBOURNE CUP DOUBLE BELOW

As distraught as Moraitis and Jim Cassidy, who won seven times on Might And Power, Clarke said the Kiwi-bred gelding was his usual self – “in the Lord Mayoral paddock with Paris Lane” – on Saturday afternoon.

He had taken part in some virtual visits, with images of the imposing frontrunner beamed into nursing homes, and had been ridden barebacked at Living Legends on Wednesday.

“Unfortunately, because of the huge colic operation he had many years ago up in Queensland, we suspected it would be a problem for him at some stage,” Clarke said.

“Usually if we saw something relating to colic, medication would clear it up very quickly.

Might And Power was a sight to behold in full flight. Jockey Jim Cassidy won seven times on the great horse.
Might And Power was a sight to behold in full flight. Jockey Jim Cassidy won seven times on the great horse.

“This time, unfortunately, was much worse. He was given the best chance and he was in the best care until the end. It is devastating to lose such a beautiful horse and character.”

Known as Bob away from racetrack where he won 15 of 33 starts and more than $5 million in prizemoney, Might And Power was a beast on a racecourse, but a lamb – mostly – off it.

“He was his own man,” Clarke said. “He was incredible with people in wheelchairs or with children. But if he didn’t like someone, he made that pretty clear, too.”

Owner Nick Moraitis said Might And Power was like family to him.
Owner Nick Moraitis said Might And Power was like family to him.

Cassidy shared in the three biggest wins of Might And Power’s stellar career, all of them on Victorian turf.

Might And Power will go down as one of the greats,’’ he said. “There are not many horses that can achieve what he did.

“He was very special to me as he helped get back on the map.

“When I rode him, I felt we combined as one, we were a team.”

Clarke said the staff at Werribee Equine Centre made the “heartbreaking decision” to euthanise the horse once voted the world’s best stayer after emergency surgery.

“There were complications,” Clarke said. “He was given the best chance and the best treatment. Unfortunately, it was not enough.

“Our hearts are with owner Nick Moraitis and ‘Bob’s’ many fans, and also to our wonderful staff who cared for him every day.

Might And Power (with Katelyn Mallyon) was a popular member of the Living Legends farm in Melbourne. Picture: Jason Edwards
Might And Power (with Katelyn Mallyon) was a popular member of the Living Legends farm in Melbourne. Picture: Jason Edwards

“Living Legends will never be the same without our treasured Might And Power.

“A special thank you to Werribee Equine Centre for their efforts to save his life.”

Might And Power retired in 1999.

Foaled in 1993, and trained by Jack Denham after brief stint with Anthony Cummings, Might And Power was lauded as Australian Horse of the Year in 1998 and ‘99.

The Zabeel powerhouse was rated the world’s best stayer in 1997 when, as a four-year-old, he won the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double.

He is defined by a staggering Caulfield Cup victory when, in trademark frontrunning style, he ran his rivals ragged to win by almost eight lengths, smashing the race record.

Owner Nick Moraitis leading Might And Power with jockey Jim Cassidy aboard after winning the 1997 Melbourne Cup.
Owner Nick Moraitis leading Might And Power with jockey Jim Cassidy aboard after winning the 1997 Melbourne Cup.

Lee Freedman called it “The most amazing race I have ever seen”.

Might And Power returned the following spring to monster a crack field in the Cox Plate, lowering champion Saintly’s race record by two seconds.

In doing so, he became only the second horse after Rising Fast in 1954, to win both Cups and the Cox Plate, and the first reigning Melbourne Cup winner since Phar Lap in 1931 to win the Cox Plate.

For the best part of 18 months, at his premium trip, he was virtually invincible.

Might and Power, who won 15 of his 33 race starts and $5,226,286 in prize money, was retired after suffering a tendon injury in 1999. He was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2002.

Clarke said Might And Power would be cremated with his ashes to be buried in Living Legends Memorial Garden, home to fellow champions Better Loosen Up and Doriemus – the grand stayer who chased Might And Power home in the two big Cups of ’97.

BY THE NUMBERS

MIGHT AND POWER

Zabeel-Benediction

Foaled: 1993

Starts: 33:15-7-1

Prizemoney: $5,226,286.

Trainers: Jack Denham (14 wins), Anthony Cummings (one).

Winning jockeys: Jim Cassidy (seven wins), Brian York (seven), John Marshall (one win).

Major wins: Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Group 1 wins: Seven.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/superracing/australian-racing-immortal-might-and-power-dies-after-colic-attack/news-story/d4de9ba504d7a1026ad3bba6feba8502