Might And Power is the name given to an Australian racehorse. The name truly refers to the strength and winning capacity of the horse. He is one of the successful geldings who made his presence felt on the Australian racing track. Might And Power was a powerful striding and exciting front-runner. He broke many racecourse records, including the Caulfield Cup, the Doomben Cup, and the Cox Plate, and was victorious in a number of events by big margins.
This article describes his success story.
Might And Power was a thoroughbred racehorse who was bred at Winsor Park Stud in New Zealand in 1993. He was the son of the horse Zabeel and an Irish mare Benediction. He was named as Australian Horse of the Year in 1998-99 and was trained by Jack Denham. (Denham died on the 14/12/09)
Might And Power made his owner and trainer proud by winning in excess of $5 million in prize money. He was the winner of the most coveted Melbourne and Caulfield Cup double. At the age of four years, Might And Power became the second horse in the Australian history of horse racing to win both Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
He further bagged the victories in a number of weight for age races including AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Mercedes Classic and Doomben Cup. He set new records by winning these races with big margins.
Might and Power had a remarkable racing career. He made his debut as a two year old. At this age he won his first race in July 1996. He stepped up to 1,900 meters and won back to back restricted races at Canterbury.
In the Canterbury Guineas, he finished second to the multiple Group One winner Intergaze. He was seventh in Rosehill Guineas. He was defeated in the AJC Derby after he suffered severe interference during the race.
He won the Frank Packer Plate just seven days later. Might And Power was named World Champion Stayer in 1996.
At the age of four in 1997-98, Might And Power defeated Alfa who was the Caulfield Guineas winner. It was in the Show County Quality. In the 2,400m Caulfield Cup, Might And Power broke the course record and won the race by seven and a half-lengths. This victory paved the way for further success and made the punters change their betting strategies.
After these big wins, betting markets were rearranged. Might And Power became a short priced favourite for the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup. Might And power carried 56kg at Flemington and received a penalty of three and a half kilos for his win in Caulfield Cup. If he became successful, it would be a record for the four year old for carrying the highest weight.
Several large bets were placed on Might And Power in spite the fact that he was facing some severe obstacles along with several European stayers were present. Moreover he was tackling extra race distances for the first time. He faced these challenges beating his rivals and at the end of the year 1998, Might And Power was named World Champion Stayer.
At the age five in 1998-99, his winning run came to an end when he was beaten in the Warwick Stakes. But he stepped up to 1600 meters and defeated Juggler second up in Chelmsford Stakes.
In the George Main Stakes he faded badly just after three weeks of a previous win. Jim Cassidy once again returns on the saddle and Might And Power again finds his form to defeat Northern Drake in the Cox Plate in October 1998. The gelding had 40,000 punters at Moonee Valley on their toes. His last victory was the VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes in which he won by seven lengths.
After this victory Might And Power was kept out of racing till September 2000 due to a tendon injury. At the age of 6 he did not run. He returned at the age of seven in September 2000 but failed and was quickly retired.
Might And Power had 33 career race starts with 15 wins, 7 seconds, and 1 third with career earnings of $5,226,286.
His major wins included the 1997 Caulfield Cup, 1997 Melbourne Cup, 1998 Mercedes Classic, 1998 Doomben Cup, 1998 AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes, 1998 Chelmsford Stakes, 1998 Yalumba Stakes, 1998 A D Hollindale Stakes, 1998 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the 1998 Cox Plate.
He spent his retirement at Living Legends in Woodlands Historic Park in Victoria. He found a well deserved place in Australian Racing Hall of Fame.
