When Nick and Stephanie Hancock set out to elevate the quality of their performance herd, they were searching for more than just a talented horse, they wanted a proven performer with the pedigree, presence and mindset to advance their program for years to come. That opportunity came in the form of Moore Rox.
Nick had watched Brendan Fitzgerald and his family campaign competitive campdraft horses for many years and knew the calibre of horses that came out of their camp. He had seen Brendan draft Moore Rox on multiple occasions and already held him in high regard as a serious competitor. When Brendan mentioned he was clearing out some horses, Nick picked up the phone and asked the question, was Moore Rox for sale? He was. Nick and Steph didn’t hesitate. To this day, they say buying him was “the best thing he ever did.”
Genetically, Moore Rox was exactly what Nick and Steph had been searching for in a sire. The strength of the old Romeo blood combined with thoroughbred influence on the sire’s side, blended with Acres/Docs Spinifex on the dam line, made him an incredibly appealing outcross option. He offered the chance to improve type, bone and trainability within their herd, while remaining versatile enough to cross over a wide variety of mares.
But Moore Rox was far more than a pedigree on paper. He had already built a formidable performance record. His career began with early success, winning the Upper Horton Maiden in 2016, followed by Novice victories at Tambo and Chinchilla in 2017. As he matured, so did his results, claiming major Open wins including the Toowoomba Landmark Sale Open and Champions of Champions in 2019, the Injune Open in 2021, and an exceptional run through 2023 with victories at Wilby, Conargo and Urana Opens, along with the Brunnette Challenge. His dominance continued through 2024 with wins in the Mansfield Open, Restricted Open and Stallion Shootout at Brunette, as well as the Stallion Shootout at Mt Isa. In 2025, he added the Urana Top Cut Out to his résumé. Along the way, there have been countless placings and bridesmaid finishes that speak to his consistency at the highest level.
One of Nick’s most memorable moments came not long after purchasing him, winning the Restricted Open at Brunette with a 93. Yet perhaps even more special was that first Victorian trip visiting Stephanie’s parents. At only their second draft together, Stephanie won a Ladies event on him. In the following four weekends, Nick won three out of four Opens. They genuinely felt like they had won the lottery, a stallion so talented, so consistent and so competitive, yet so reliable. Worth every penny.
Moore Rox’s toughness is one of the qualities Nick admires most. Before Nick and Steph purchased him, he had sustained a severe hind leg injury, the kind that often ends a career. Yet through sheer mental strength and willingness to work, he returned to top-level competition and continues to perform without showing discomfort. That resilience, combined with his strong bone and durability, is something Nick and Steph hope to see stamped into generations to come.
Temperament is another defining trait. Moore Rox is a horse that handles all levels of riders. Nick, will Durkin and Ben Hall can climb aboard and be extremely competitive in an Open campdraft run, and then Stephanie can ride him in a Challenge or draft and feel his softness and kindness. That adaptability and generosity make him a rare individual.
Today, his daily life is a little different. His heavy station work days are behind him; instead, he is carefully managed, fed, rugged and travelled extensively across Australia, competing in every state except South Australia and Tasmania. During breeding season, he is equally busy, covering a broad selection of mares.
His progeny are already reinforcing his value. The oldest offspring, bred prior to Nick’s ownership, are now eight to ten years old and performing competitively, including horses campaigned by Brendan Fitzgerald and Lexi Payne. A further handful are making their mark in the campdraft arena. Nick and Stephanie’s own oldest progeny are rising two-year-olds, currently being started, and Nick couldn’t be happier with their attitude and trainability. Consistently strong-boned and similar in style, they carry a clear stamp of their sire.
While time will ultimately determine which crosses suit him best, Moore Rox was purchased with a clear long-term vision: to strengthen the performance ability of their young stock while leveraging the credibility of a proven, performed stallion. He has already delivered on both fronts, providing unforgettable moments in the arena and exciting promise in the paddock.
For Nick and Stephanie Hancock, Moore Rox is more than a stallion. He is a competitor, a cornerstone of their breeding program, and a horse that has given them opportunity, success and a great deal of fun along the way.
