Protectionist (horse)

Protectionist
Protectionist before the 2014 Melbourne Cup
Sire	Monsun
Grandsire	Königsstuhl
Dam	Patineuse
Damsire	Peintre Celebre
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	21 March 2010
Country	Germany
Colour	Bay
Owner	Christoph Berglar Australian Bloodstock
Trainer	Andreas Wöhler
Major wins
2014 Prix Kergorlay 2014 Melbourne Cup
Last updated on 4 November 2014

Protectionist (foaled 2010) is a Thoroughbred racehorse bred and trained in Germany. He was bred by Christoph Berglar, and owned by Berglar in conjunction with an Australian syndicate. Protectionist was the winner of the 2014 Melbourne Cup, ridden by Ryan Moore and trained by Andreas Wöhler, and became the first German-trained horse to win the race.

Background

Protectionist was sired by Monsun, who also sired the 2013 Melbourne Cup winner, Fiorente. The horse is part-owned by his breeder, Christoph Berglar, and also by Australian Bloodstock, a syndicate based in Newcastle, New South Wales.^[1]

Racing career

Protectionist won his first race in Hanover during his two-year-old season, and later in the season placed second in a Group 3 race in Krefeld, the Herzog von Ratibor-Rennen. He appeared only twice in his three-year-old season, winning one listed race and placing second in another. During his 2014 European campaign, Protectionist won two races from four starts. He ran second in the listed Preis von Dahlwitz and the Group 2 Großer Preis der Badischen Unternehmen, and then won back-to-back Group 2 victories in the Hansa-Preis (in Hamburg) and the Prix Kergorlay (in Deauville, France). He was ridden by Eduardo Pedroza for both wins.^[2]

Protectionist was brought to Australia for the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival, with his trainer, Andreas Wöhler, making his first appearance in Australia since he contested the 2004 Cox Plate with Paolini. Protectionist ran fourth in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes, ridden by Craig Williams, and was subsequently installed as an early favourite for the Melbourne Cup with some bookmakers, though this status was acquired by Admire Rakti closer to the race, after his win in the Caulfield Cup.^[3]

At the 2014 Melbourne Cup, Protectionist was ridden by British jockey Ryan Moore, who had won the Cox Plate on Adelaide ten days earlier.^[4] He won the 3,200-metre race by four lengths from Red Cadeaux, who become the first horse to place second in three Melbourne Cups. Protectionist is the first German-trained horse to win the race.^[5] He ran the race in 3:17.71, the fastest time since Media Puzzle in the 2002 race, and the fourth-fastest overall. His winning margin was the biggest victory since Doriemus won the 1995 race.^[6]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Protectionist (GER), bay stallion, 2010^[7]

Sire Monsun	Königsstuhl	Dschingis Khan	Tamerlane
			Donna Diana
		Königskrönung	Tiepoletto
			Krönung
	Mosella	Surumu	Literat
			Surama
		Monasia	Authi
			Monacensia
Dam Patineuse	Peintre Celebre	Nureyev	Northern Dancer
			Special
		Peinture Bleue	Alydar
			Petroleuse
	Parisienne	Distant Relative	Habitat
			Royal Sister II
		Poughkeepsie	Sadler's Wells
			Pawneese

References

1. Craig Kerry (16 September 2014). "Newcastle's Melbourne Cup bid for 2014: Protectionist, Terrubi" – Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
2. Jared Timms (4 November 2014). "Melbourne Cup Betting Steers Away From Protectionist" – HorseRacing.com.au. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
3. Patrick Bartley (12 October 2014). "German horse Protectionist co-favourite to win Melbourne Cup" – The Age. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
4. Adam Pengilly (3 November 2014). "2014 Melbourne Cup: Protectionist a chance with Ryan Moore in the saddle" – The Age. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
5. "Melbourne Cup: Protectionist triumphs as favourite Admire Rakti collapses and dies after finishing last" – ABC News. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
6. Bren O'Brien (4 November 2014). "Protectionist's Cup Win - By the Numbers" – Racing.com. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
7. Protectionist pedigree – EquineLine.com. Retrieved 4 November 2014.