‘Real gentleman’: Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Michael Moroney dies, aged 66
Popular trainer and multiple Group 1 winner Michael Moroney, who won the 2000 Melbourne Cup with Brew, sadly passed away in his sleep.
- with Ray Thomas and Ben Dorries
Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Michael Moroney has been remembered as a “real gentleman” and “gentle giant” with “all the attributes of a quality individual”.
Moroney died in his sleep on Thursday, aged 66.
The shock loss has rocked Australian and New Zealand racing.
Moroney, a popular and respected horseman, famously won the Cup with Brew in 2000.
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The 55-time Group 1 winner was trackside at Caulfield last Saturday to watch Coeur Volante win the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes.
Moroney last year battled serious illness and associated health issues.
He stepped away from training for six months but recovered in time to attend the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington.
Moroney’s Flemington-based trans-Tasman Ballymore Stables announced the tragic loss.
“One of the stalwarts of New Zealand and Victorian racing, Michael not only had a special knack with horses, but with people,” Ballymore Stables posted on Facebook.
“He was loved and respected by his staff, his owners, his beloved partner Karen and his family.
“He will be remembered for his kindness, his willingness to share his time, expertise and his passion for the sport of horse racing.
“He was a wonderful father and very proud grandfather, a member of a tight-knit family and circle of friends.
“He was a much loved member of the racing community and an outstanding conditioner of horses with a host of Group 1 wins, premierships and well deserved awards.”
Proud Kiwi expat Moroney was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in 2023.
He first gained his trainer’s licence in 1981/82.
Moroney moved to Australia in 1999, with stables initially at Morphettville, and immediately made a mark winning the Cup with Brew the following year.
Major wins included the Blue Diamond (True Jewels, 2001), Victoria Derby (Monaco Consul, 2009), Stradbroke Handicap (Tofane, 2021), Champions Sprint (Roch ‘N’ Horse, 2022) and Newmarket Handicap (Roch ‘N’ Horse, 2022).
Prominent owner Rupert Legh, a long-time friend and supporter, paid tribute to Moroney.
“We’re all very, very numb because we had a friendship and partnership of more than 25 years that most trainers would love to have the same relationship with owners,” Legh said.
“We had a very special connection, raced a lot of horses together. The only thing I could say with Mike, in all that time, we didn’t have one argument, not one argument.
“We had a special respect for each other, just one of those special partnerships.
“It’s going to leave such a massive hole in our life, not just personal life but also racing life.
“It’s a tough one, I’m struggling to deal with it at the moment.
“He was loved by all, a gentle giant, a great temperament, a solid individual.”
Legh vowed to continue to support the stable and urged all owners to rally behind Moroney’s family, co-trainer Glen Thompson and racing manager Anthony Feroce.
Legh has interest in the Moroney and Thompson-trained Plymouth in the Group 1 Australian Guineas on Saturday at Flemington.
“Hopefully Plymouth can salute and give the stable something to smile about because today they won’t be smiling,” Legh said.
“We need a lot of people getting behind them and help them through a very difficult period.”
Legh shared the ups and downs of racing and life with Moroney.
“It wasn’t just 25 years of racing horses together,” Legh said.
“When you’ve got someone you can share the bad times with you know you’ve got a special friend, he was a unique individual, everyone loved him.
“He didn’t have a bad word to say about anyone, he was a big gentle giant and he’s going to leave a massive hole in the industry.
“He was probably one of the most liked trainers in our industry and that’s a credit to him and it’s a big loss.”
Legendary jockey Damien Oliver also described Moroney as a “gentle giant”.
Oliver, the 129-time Group 1 winner who retired in 2023, linked with Moroney for many big race successes.
“Mike’s forte was generally with the stayers although he could certainly train any type of horses. We had a lot of success and good times together,” Oliver said.
“When Mike set a horse for a big race, he was really good at that sort of thing.”
Three-time Melbourne Cup winner Oliver’s last ride in the race that stops a nation in 2023 was aboard the Moroney-trained Alenquer.
Hall of Fame trainer John Hawkes said Moroney “was a real gentleman”.
“I had a lot to do with him at Flemington,” Hawkes said.
“He was just a good bloke and a wonderful trainer. It’s very sad.’’
Prominent breeder John Messara, a part-owner of Plymouth, echoed the sentiment.
“I’m shattered,” Messara said.
“I’ve always found Mike to be a nice bloke, very easy to deal with, and he achieved so much as a trainer.
“I was only talking to him (Wednesday) as we have Plymouth running on Saturday. I couldn’t believe it when I heard the news.’’
Champion trainer Chris Waller added: “He was a beautiful man, loved his horses past and present… amazing trainer, knew what it took to win big races,” Waller said.
“Always had time for a chat, was resilient and will be remembered by me as one of the greats for so many reasons.”
Legendary trainer Gai Waterhouse said Moroney was “a trainer loved by all”.
Moroney claimed his first Group 1 win with Imperial Angel in the 1985 New Zealand 1000 Guineas and his first in Australia, the 1989 South Australian Oaks, with Heavenly Body.
Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison lauded Moroney’s contribution to racing in Australia and New Zealand.
“His skill as a trainer is reflected in his amazing achievements and his contribution to the career of others is lauded,” Morrison said.
“Mike was popular and respected among his training colleagues and those who had the pleasure of enjoying his company, be at trackwork or celebrating a feature win, always speak glowingly of the experience and his character.”
Australian Trainers’ Association president Robbie Griffiths added: “Not only was he a brilliant horse trainer, but he was also an incredible person who was willing to help others out at any time,” Griffiths said.
“Mike made a lasting impact in the horse racing community and will be sadly missed to racing. Our thoughts go out to his family and staff.”
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