Nick Moraitis, who owned one of Australia's greatest-ever horses, New Zealand-bred star Might And Power, has died overnight at the age of 87.
Famous in racing for his emotional post-race interviews and speeches about God and the joy his horse gave him, Moraitis died after a lengthy battle with liver cancer.
Moraitis gained fame early in another arena as the owner of one of Australia’s biggest fruit and vegetable businesses, but he shared his desire for business with a great passion for horse racing.
Might And Power, a son of Zabeel who Moraitis purchased for $40,000 as a yearling despite being warned about a crooked leg, was Australasia's most famous galloper towards the end of last century.
He first shot to fame with his seven-and-a-half-length winning romp in course-record time as a four-year-old in the 1997 Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m). Just 17 days later he would add a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) and then 50 weeks after that a Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m).
Moraitis would go on and race several more good horses including champion sire Exceed and Excel and in the early 2000s became a director of the Sydney Turf Club before it merged with the Australian Jockey Club to become the Australian Turf Club.
Might And Power was named by Moraitis after he attended his granddaughter's Holy Communion and heard the choir singing of the might and power of Jesus Christ.
He immediately thought that was a good name for a horse and he was right as the outstanding galloper was hugely popular as he ran his rivals into the ground for seven Group One wins before injury brought about his retirement.
Might And Power passed away at Living Legends in 2020 at the age of 26 after being a major drawcard for star-struck visitors, in addition to being a mainstay of the annual Melbourne Cup parade.
In more recent times, Moraitis enjoyed much success with the Joe Pride trained stayer Destiny's Kiss, who he bred and retained to race. The popular gelding won over $1.5million in prizemoney and scored mutiple stakes wins. - NZ Racing Desk
