Declan’s Moon (USA)
2002 – Living
Malibu Moon (USA) x Vee Vee Star (USA), by Norquestor (USA)
Family 2-i
2002 – Living
Malibu Moon (USA) x Vee Vee Star (USA), by Norquestor (USA)
Family 2-i
By the time Declan’s Moon came along, a win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (USA-G1) was considered a virtual requirement for the Eclipse Award in the American juvenile male division; since the inauguration of the Breeders’ Cup in 1984, 16 of the 20 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winners had been voted the Eclipse. Declan’s Moon not only skipped the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile but broke another unwritten rule by never leaving the West Coast. In 2004, however, Wilko won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at 28-1 odds, defeating Grade 1 winners Roman Ruler and Afleet Alex after racing in Europe for most of the year, and Declan’s Moon beat Wilko back into third in the Hollywood Futurity (USA-G1). That capped a four-for-four season for the Malibu Moon gelding and gave him enough momentum with Eclipse voters to seize the title. Declan’s Moon confirmed his status as an early front-runner for Kentucky Derby (USA-G1) favoritism by stretching his win streak to five in the Santa Catalina Stakes (USA-G2) in March 2005, but injuries derailed a racing career that had seemed headed for greatness. As a gelding, Declan’s Moon had no opportunity to contribute to future generations.
Race record
18 starts, 6 wins, 2 seconds, 2 thirds, US$705,647
2004:
2005:
2006:
Honors
Assessments
Co-highweighted with Wilko at 126 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juvenile males, 2 pounds above Afleet Alex and Roman Ruler.
As an individual
A tall, rangy dark bay or brown gelding with solid conformation and good bone, Declan’s Moon had a light, elastic way of going. He preferred to race on or near the front end. Following his victory in the Santa Catalina Stakes, a knee chip knocked him off the Kentucky Derby trail. After undergoing surgery for the chip and returning to training, Declan’s Moon then developed cannon bone issues which kept him away from the races until July 2006. He never recovered his earlier form and won only one of his final 13 starts. In retirement, he was described as “rather studdish for a gelding” but presented himself well and was quick to learn.
Connections
Foaled at Spring Meadow Farm in Maryland, Declan’s Moon was bred by Brice Ridgeley. He sold for US$125,000 through the 2003 Fasig-Tipton Mid-Atlantic yearling sale and was owned by Mace and Samantha Siegel. He was trained by Ron Ellis. Following his racing career, he was retired to the Pons family’s Merryland Farm near Bel Air, Maryland.
Pedigree notes
Declan’s Moon is inbred 3x4 to two-time American champion sire Mr. Prospector and 5x4 to 1973 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Somethingroyal. He was produced from Grade 2-placed Vee Vee Star (by 1989 Pegasus Handicap, USA-G1, winner Norquestor, by Conquistador Cielo), a half sister to open stakes winner Sabovee (by Sabona). Vee Vee Star is also a half sister to restricted stakes winner Katie’s Love (by Not for Love), dam of restricted stakes winner Celtic Katie (by Posse).
Vee Vee Star was produced from Fabulous Vee, a daughter of Secretariat’s Northern Dancer half brother, Somethingfabulous. The next dam in Declan’s Moon’s tail-female line, Mrs. Vee Vee (by Ridan), is out of the Sicambre mare Radiant Beam, a half sister to English stakes winner Alcmena (by Alcide). The female line traces back to the noteworthy English broodmare Double Life, herself the winner of the 1929 Cambridgeshire Stakes and the dam of 1937 English champion older male Precipitation (by Hurry On), 1944 Coronation Cup winner Persian Gulf (by Bahram), and 1938 Dewhurst Stakes winner Casanova (by Hyperion). Both Precipitation and Persian Gulf were successful sires.
Books and media
Fun facts
Last updated: November 29, 2025
Race record
18 starts, 6 wins, 2 seconds, 2 thirds, US$705,647
2004:
- Won Hollywood Futurity (USA-G1, 8.5FD, Hollywood)
- Won Del Mar Futurity (USA-G2, 7FD, Del Mar)
- Won Hollywood Prevue Stakes (USA-G3, 7FD, Hollywood)
2005:
- Won Santa Catalina Stakes (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Santa Anita)
2006:
- 3rd Vernon O. Underwood Stakes (USA-G3, 6FA, Santa Anita)
Honors
- Eclipse Award, American champion 2-year-old male (2004)
- Maryland-bred Horse of the Year (2004)
- Maryland-bred champion 2-year-old male
Assessments
Co-highweighted with Wilko at 126 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juvenile males, 2 pounds above Afleet Alex and Roman Ruler.
As an individual
A tall, rangy dark bay or brown gelding with solid conformation and good bone, Declan’s Moon had a light, elastic way of going. He preferred to race on or near the front end. Following his victory in the Santa Catalina Stakes, a knee chip knocked him off the Kentucky Derby trail. After undergoing surgery for the chip and returning to training, Declan’s Moon then developed cannon bone issues which kept him away from the races until July 2006. He never recovered his earlier form and won only one of his final 13 starts. In retirement, he was described as “rather studdish for a gelding” but presented himself well and was quick to learn.
Connections
Foaled at Spring Meadow Farm in Maryland, Declan’s Moon was bred by Brice Ridgeley. He sold for US$125,000 through the 2003 Fasig-Tipton Mid-Atlantic yearling sale and was owned by Mace and Samantha Siegel. He was trained by Ron Ellis. Following his racing career, he was retired to the Pons family’s Merryland Farm near Bel Air, Maryland.
Pedigree notes
Declan’s Moon is inbred 3x4 to two-time American champion sire Mr. Prospector and 5x4 to 1973 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Somethingroyal. He was produced from Grade 2-placed Vee Vee Star (by 1989 Pegasus Handicap, USA-G1, winner Norquestor, by Conquistador Cielo), a half sister to open stakes winner Sabovee (by Sabona). Vee Vee Star is also a half sister to restricted stakes winner Katie’s Love (by Not for Love), dam of restricted stakes winner Celtic Katie (by Posse).
Vee Vee Star was produced from Fabulous Vee, a daughter of Secretariat’s Northern Dancer half brother, Somethingfabulous. The next dam in Declan’s Moon’s tail-female line, Mrs. Vee Vee (by Ridan), is out of the Sicambre mare Radiant Beam, a half sister to English stakes winner Alcmena (by Alcide). The female line traces back to the noteworthy English broodmare Double Life, herself the winner of the 1929 Cambridgeshire Stakes and the dam of 1937 English champion older male Precipitation (by Hurry On), 1944 Coronation Cup winner Persian Gulf (by Bahram), and 1938 Dewhurst Stakes winner Casanova (by Hyperion). Both Precipitation and Persian Gulf were successful sires.
Books and media
- Footage of Declan’s Moon’s win in the 2004 Hollywood Futurity can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsWwjyBONqA.
- Footage of Declan’s Moon while training for the Retired Racehorse Training Project can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi0BVK2e-vk.
Fun facts
- Declan’s Moon received the “Declan” part of his name in honor of Brice Ridgeley’s grandson.
- Declan’s Moon was the first gelding to win the Eclipse Award as American champion 2-year-old male since Rockhill Native in 1979.
- In 2012-13, Declan’s Moon took part in the Retired Racehorse Training Project’s 100-Day Challenge, which introduced retired racehorses to various equestrian disciplines over a period of 100 days. Declan’s Moon had been retired from racing for five years when he was entered in the event. At the end of the challenge, Declan’s Moon was voted the horse best suited to dressage.
Last updated: November 29, 2025