November 2024
From South Africa to the World
The Story of Victory Moon
Above: The incomparable Victory Moon
This Saturday, the spotlight turns to the Grade 3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes, an 1800m contest at Turffontein that pays homage to Victory Moon, the exceptional racehorse who, alongside the legendary Ipi Tombe, reignited South Africa's presence on the international racing stage in 2003. He was instrumental in establishing Mike de Kock’s formidable stable in Dubai, which quickly evolved into a launching pad for the trainer’s remarkable success across the globe.
Victory Moon's story is marked by much joy, triumph and a poignant ending—reflecting the bittersweet fate shared by many equine champions throughout history.
Born on 29 October 1999 at Geoff and Katherine Winshaw’s Litchfield Stud near Robertson, Victory Moon was a somewhat late arrival, though this had no impact on his development. He was a well-sized bay foal by Al Mufti out of Dancing Flower (Dancing Champ). By the time he was consigned to the Cape Equimark Sale in 2001, he had grown into a big colt with plenty of attitude.
De Kock recalled: “Bernard Kantor had asked us to look at a filly in the Litchfield barn. Victory Moon wasn’t on our shortlist, but while we were at Litchfield, Jehan Malherbe suggested we should look at Victory Moon too. He was impressive. Eventually we were left with a choice between him and an Al Mufti colt from another stud farm, and we picked the right one.”
Dean Maroun and his brother Grant had made the trip from Johannesburg with De Kock, and Grant told: “At the time I thought our family as getting out of racing, but we sure got back in! We bought three colts. There was a lot to like about Domino Man, who was an automatic choice. Then there was Hidalgo and Victory Moon, who was imposing. We bought him for R200,000.”
De Kock joked: “In essence, if it wasn’t for Bernard Kantor sending us to Litchfield (he liked me in those days and asked me to look at his horses), we might not have come across the beast that was Victory Moon.”
Dean Maroun formed the MAD Syndicate, and shares were sold to a number of friends and business associates. The shareholders in Victory Moon were Dean, Grant, Guy and John Maroun, JJ van der Linden, Mike de Kock, Kevin Bakos, Kevan Hunter and Seth Luntz. The syndicate’s silks were white, with a purple maltese cross and a purple cap.
Victory Moon was given time to mature. After being schooled at Randjesfontein, he joined De Kock’s satellite base at Summerveld for the winter of 2002. He only raced once, as a late two-year-old, winning his Maiden Juvenile debut by 0.25-lengths over 1200m at Scottsville.
At the time, Mike de Kock had received an opportunity to train in Dubai after a meeting with Emirates Racing authorities arranged by Derrick Wiid from Phumelela Gaming and Leisure and he noted: “I’d been harassed by the Jockey Club of South Africa for several years with allegations of doping. I was deeply motivated to prove that I was legit, by training overseas. Also, I’d won the National Championship a few times, but it wasn’t worth much in financial terms. All of this influenced my decision to set up camp in Dubai.”
De Kock initially had only three SA contenders for his venture into the Dubai desert – 2002 Durban July winner, Ipi Tombe, Mary Slack’s imported filly Best Chris and Cecil Treger’s stayer Kelly. Victory Moon’s participation hinged on the outcome of a shareholders’ vote. Members of the MAD Syndicate gathered to debate whether they would incur the cost of the flight and high stabling fees, and whether the colt was good enough to warrant this investment in his prospects.
Grant Maroun said: “We were swayed by the fact that Victory Moon was a sound horse and that Mike felt he had the ability to compete on foreign soil.” The vote was close, it went down to the wire, but after the meeting Victory Moon’s berth on the chartered flight was booked by Brain Roux of BBR Bloodstock Shipping.
De Kock had earmarked the Group 3 UAE 2000 Guineas at the Dubai Racing Carnival, scheduled for 13 February 2003. Having travelled halfway around the world before settling in at Nad Al Sheba’s international barn, Victory Moon stepped out in a preparatory sprint over 1200m on the dirt track at Jebel Ali. Mike engaged Irishman Wayne Smith for the ride, and he brought the colt home under a driving ride to win by a short-head.
This was a modest USD20,000 contest at Dubai’s second-choice circuit, but aside from the merits of winning a dash on an unknown track, and on dirt, it gave De Kock and his team a measure of confidence that they were going the right way. The stable was quickly off the mark, and that was a confidence builder.
Victory Moon’s route to the Guineas went via one more warm-up run, the Al Nahklee over 1700m on dirt, where he won by nine lengths under top weight of 59kg. The big bay was improving with every run and growing in stature. The racing fraternity in Dubai was starting to take notice, but not many expected him to win his third successive start in the desert. Victory Moon took on a field of useful contenders in the UAE 2000 Guineas, worth the equivalent of USD$150,000, and disposed of two popular Godolphin runners, Western Diplomat and Bourbonnais. He won gamely in the hands of his now regular jock, Wayne Smith.
Godolphin’s trainer, Saeed bin Suroor, stepped out the redoubtable outfit’s UAE Derby hopeful, Inamorato, a US-bred who had won his Maiden at Hollywood Park in the United States and landed in the UAE with a big reputation. Wound up for the race, Inamorato dealt Victory Moon his first career defeat in the Al Bastikiya over 1800m on 8 March, 2003, coming home six lengths clear of the SA-bred in the hands of Frankie Dettori.
However, De Kock had left something in the tank for Victory Moon’s ultimate target, the Group 2 UAE Derby. In the weeks leading to Dubai World Cup Day, Victory Moon came into his own in exercise gallops, impressing all and sundry, including the international media contingent who had gathered in advance for the UAE’s annual racing highlight on Saturday, 29 March.
The word was out. Victory Moon was seen as a realistic Derby danger to Inamorato and Songlark, another emerging ace from Bin Suroor’s barn. Godolphin’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, keen to ensure that the prestigious trophy stayed in Dubai, offered a staggering $US2-million for Victory Moon in the week prior to the race.
De Kock and the MAD Syndicate were blown away. This gargantuan offer was equivalent to near R18-million, and presented a chance for all the partners to cash in, handsomely. The offer was reduced to $US1-million following a routine, pre-sale veterinary inspection, and it was reported that Victory Moon had a chip in his hind fetlock.
“We rejected the second offer, because Victory Moon had not presented any issues of this kind before and was sound as a bell. The syndicate members were disappointed at getting so close to a big payday only to see the deal fall through, but we decided to take our chances in the Derby. Victory Moon had shown me that he had the mettle to be competitive,” De Kock said.
When the big night finally arrived, a contingent of South African and Zimbabwean supporters rolled into Dubai, including the owners of Ipi Tombe, members of the MAD Syndicate and a few representatives from the racing media. Racing in Dubai for the first time was a strange and almost surreal experience for most, and what ensued was the stuff dreams are made of.
Victory Moon lined up in the 2000m dirt race alongside 13 other promising three-year-olds and he was priced up third favourite at 7-1 by international bookmakers, with Inamorato (4-5) and the Argentine raider Peasant (13-2) topping the boards. There were near 35,000 people on course, with the Victory Moon fan club scattered from positions near the rail to the parade ring to the grandstand and the international village. Godolphin’s massive supporter base - droves of UAE citizens - cheered and clapped for the Sheik’s equine representatives, drowning out the spirited encouragement for the South African runner.
The Brazilian runner, Baccarat, went out to set the clip from Parhelion, Songlark and Seattle Fitz, with Victory Moon fifth and Inamorato just behind him. The De Kock runner appeared to be travelling well, but lost his position in the back straight and dropped to seventh as jockey Wayne Smith tried to stay out of the kickback. Turning for home, Victory Moon had six or seven lengths to find. Hearts were pounding, visions of disappointment and despair threatened to take hold.
Just then, Smith made a bold move. He switched Victory Moon to the outside for a clear run, gave him a few reminders and pushed him into the firing line, where Songlark had taken over and looked the likely winner. But the big son of Al Mufti grabbed the bit, lengthened his stride and ranged up to the Godolphin runner. In the kind of moment champions are made, Victory Moon took on Songlark and headed him with 100m to run. The final seconds were breathtaking. Victory Moon crossed the line half a length ahead of his rival. Around Nad Al Sheba, pandemonium broke loose as ecstatic South Africans, almost punch-drunk from this unexpected surge of exhilaration, scrambled toward the winner’s enclosure. Some even vaulted security fences to join the victorious procession. This was a monumental South African triumph, broadcast to audiences worldwide.
Following a later, similarly spectacular win on the night by De Kock’s star filly Ipi Tombe, a party of mighty proportions took place in the South African suite on the grandstand. Racing celebrities including Frankie Dettori and Johnny Murtagh mingled with the Victory Moon supporters and the De Kock stable, forging friendships that have lasted to this day. At 1am, things were still going strong, and the Racing Express reported: “Away from the celebrations, Dean Maroun was sitting alone on a seat in the now empty grandstand, looking pensive and staring across the infield of Nad Al Sheba with the towering skyscrapers of Dubai shining in the distance. He shook his head. ‘This cannot be true. I cannot believe what happened here tonight. This cannot be real,” said Maroun.
Above: 'Unreal'. Victory Moon wins the 2003 UAE Derby from Songlark
***
Victory Moon had emulated Essence Of Dubai’s feat of winning both the UAE 2000 Guineas and UAE Derby in the same year, and banked $USD750,000 for his Derby win alone. His connections decided to send him to England for the peak of the 2003 flat racing season, and planned another spell in Dubai for the 2004 Carnival.
Victory Moon was pointed at the Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes over 2200m at Ascot on Saturday, 26 July, with prep runs at Royal Ascot and Sandown. He was shipped to the UK in April 2003 and left in the care of assistant trainer Tom Dascombe, based at Andrew Balding’s Kingsclere stables in Newbury, West Berkshire.
Above: Victory Moon canters down for the Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot
Victory Moon made his UK debut on 17 June in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes on the straight mile at Royal Ascot, where he ran out of steam, needing the run. The race was won by Dubai Destination and included the likes of Right Approach (3rd) and Hawk Wing (6th). The SA-bred finished seventh, beaten 13,35-lengths.
Next was the Group 1 Coral Eclipse Stakes over 2000m at Sandown and Victory Moon put up a solid and promising performance, staying on for fifth in a race won by the exceptional Falbrav, with Nayef and Olden Times just behind him. Falbrav, at 133, was Timeform’s highest-rated horse in Europe at the time and Nayef was rated 128. This fine performance earned Victory Moon a Timeform rating of 120.
Victory Moon made further good progress working in the testing hills at Kingsclere, drew big interest from the UK racing media and was considered the best outsider in the King George, starting at 12-1 in another hot field. He raced uncharacteristically keen, however, faded in the long run-in and was well beaten in a race won by Alamshar, with Falbrav, Sulami, Kris Kin and Nayef among his rivals.
While he didn’t manage to earn a prize, Victory Moon matched strides with the world’s best after an arduous Dubai season. His connections knew he’d come back to his brilliant best given a well-deserved break.
***
De Kock’s former South African stable jockey, Weichong Marwing, returned with the team to Dubai in December 2003. Following his success at the 2003 Carnival, De Kock now had a bigger string for 2004 and had moved to Grandstand Stables, across the way from the international barn.
Marwing was booked to ride Victory Moon in his comeback run, the Al Maktoum Challenge (Leg 1) over 1600m. He was doing nicely at home, but just needed it and plugged on for third place behind State Shinto, beaten one length. It was at this point that the 2004 Dubai World Cup became a realistic target. De Kock said that Victory Moon had plenty to come. Having won a Group 2 race over the World Cup course and distance, the Grandstand team pointed their efforts to Saturday, 27 March. There was a sense of seriousness in the stable, and De Kock pencilled in the two other legs of the Al Maktoum Challenge for Victory Moon en route to DWC Day.
Above: Victory Moon and Weichong Marwing win Leg 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge
Victory Moon was coming to the peak of his powers. He ran his old rival Inamorato ragged, winning the Group 3 Al Maktoum Challenge (Leg 2) over 1800m on 12 February by 3.25-lengths and was similarly impressive in a 2,25-length win over Dinyeper in Leg 3 over 2000m. This race was staged on ‘Super Saturday’, a race day three weeks out from the Dubai World Cup and seen as the ‘dress rehearsal’ for the race itself.
In World Cup week, South African racing fans descended on the golden city in the desert like bees to a blooming field of wildflowers. De Kock had stunned world racing with his achievements in 2003 and this was an event every devoted fanatic wanted to be a part of. Phil Georgiou’s Let’s Go Travel had brought over 50 eager fans across on a travel package. The international village and the grandstand was packed with excited ‘Saffas’.
The travelling parties got their money’s worth before the running of the Dubai World Cup when De Kock and Marwing dead-heated in the $USD2-million Group 1 Dubai Duty Free with Right Approach, who came from the clouds to put his nose down with Paolini for a memorable success.
Above: Dean Maroun, Weichong Marwing, Kevan Hunter and John Maroun before the 2004 Dubai World Cup
Victory Moon went to post just over an hour later, supremely fit and ready for his biggest ever bout in the world’s richest race. It was never going to be easy, because US trainers Richard Mandella (Pleasantly Perfect) and Bobby Frankel (Medaglia D’oro) had flown in two dirt specialists for a tilt at the $US5-million prize. The Breeders’ Cup Classic duo looked outstanding on parade and performed accordingly, contesting a thrilling finish that went to Pleasantly Perfect by 0.75-lengths. The SA-bred ran his heart out, but he was simply not good enough for the accomplished US pair. He stayed on strongly in third, beaten 5,75-lengths. The fourth horse, Grand Hombre, was a further eight lengths back.
***
In consideration of his potential at stud, the MAD Syndicate decided to retire Victory Moon on a high. He’d won or placed in 10 of his 13 starts, amassing career earnings of US$2,414,974. He was tough and versatile and had campaigned on three continents. He was named Dubai’s Horse Of The Year for 2004.
There was, however, an issue to address. Mike de Kock and Dean Maroun had become embroiled in disagreements and, to dissolve their partnership, Victory Moon was placed on a dispersal sale in January 2005. He was bought back for R5 million by Maroun, and retired to stud at Andreas Jacobs’ Maine Chance Farms in South Africa.
Above: Victory Moon at stud
John Slade, stud manager at the time, recalled: “Victory Moon was a big, strong horse and he was unhappy and angry when he arrived. He’d been travelling a lot and had to spend several weeks in quarantine. He was restless, but he settled down after a while and became a pleasure to work with.
“It was a difficult time for syndication and Victory Moon’s fee was set high, at R30,000. He had to compete with rising star stallions Captain Al and Jet Master so it wasn’t easy to get the best mares, but he performed admirably and made his mark.”
Victory Moon completed four seasons at stud, producing 9% stakes winners from only 23 runners in his first crop, including Grade 1 winners Princess Victoria and War Horse. He also sired the exported Nocturnal Affair and multiple winners including Blaze Of Fire, Hidden Beauty, Muscatt, Mystic Moon and Lunar Lee.
Victory Moon unexpectedly came to the end of the road on 26 July 2009. Slade told: “He caught my eye standing in the corner of his paddock around lunch time. He looked fine. A few hours later I noticed he was still standing there in exactly the same position and I realised something was wrong. When I walked over to him, there was a bone sticking out of his off-hind leg. Nobody knows how he fractured his leg. He was taken to a veterinary clinic and I distinctly remember how brave he was. He helped us to help get him on the float. An operation was performed, a pin was inserted into his leg and he survived the operation. We thought for a while that he was going to make it, but there were complications in the hours after the operation and he had to be euthanised. It was a sad loss for all of us and the breeding industry.”
Mike de Kock reflected: “I rate Victory Moon up there with the best I have trained. He was a no-nonsense, game and honest racer that changed lives. He will always be closely associated with a period of growth, top-level international exposure and high excitement for the South African industry. He delivered moments and memories that money can’t buy.”