Living Legends, the beloved retirement home for champion racehorses has seen some changes recently, losing two legends but also gaining another.
Might And Power’s legacy is impressive. He was the only racehorse to win both the Melbourne Cup and the Caulfield Cup by leading all the way. When he completed that double he was rated the 1997 world-champion stayer.
His outstanding career of 33 starts for 15 wins and $5.2 million in prize money included wins in the 1998 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley, Mercedes Classic at Rosehill, both the AJC and VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Doomben Cup, Chelmsford Stakes and the Yalumba Stakes. The Australian Horse of the Year in 1998 and 1999 and inducted into the Australian Hall of Fame in 2002, he was trained in Sydney by Jack Denham and owned by Nick Moraitis, a tough and successful Sydney businessman.
When his racing days were over, Might And Power had the honour of being one of the first three thoroughbreds to step inside Living Legends, at the time a new home for retired racehorses located in Greenvale. Two other retired racetrack stars, Doriemus and Better Loosen Up, arrived on the same day and joined Might And Power at Living Legends. Might And Power was given a simple nickname, Bob, but was more formally referred to as the Living Legends ‘Lord Mayor’ for the 13 years that he resided there, before passing away from colic complications on April 12 this year.
After his death, Might And Power was given a final lap of honour, his ashes escorted to Caulfield, Flemington and Moonee Valley before he rejoined his former old mates Doriemus and Better Loosen Up in an expanded memorial garden at Living Legends.
The public was invited to participate by leaving a tribute online or making a donation to be part of creating “Bob’s Rainbow” at his final resting place. CEO and Veterinary Director at Living Legends, Dr Andrew Clarke, said great care and planning had been undertaken to give Bob a fitting farewell to enable the public to feel part of the ceremony.
“Bob was a once-in-a-lifetime horse and we wanted to give him a farewell like no other,” he said. Dr Clarke also praised the VRC, MRC and MVRC for embracing the opportunity to celebrate the career of Might And Power.
Dr Clarke said Might And Power had been a wonderful horse in retirement at Living Legends. “He would run around the paddock so fast he’d scare you, but he also knew when to be mellow, like when meeting children or adults with special needs.”
“He was a celebrity who made appearances at Government House, the MCG and Flemington, and enjoyed trips to Sydney, Adelaide and many other cities, as well as country meetings including the Echuca Cup. He was a part of Melbourne’s spring racing carnival for over 10 years.
“Bob had a special liking and empathy for children with a disability. Owner Nick Moraitis also has a passion for helping children, and has always been incredibly touched by the way people responded to Might And Power.”