Protectionist (horse)

{{Short description|German-bred Thoroughbred racehorse (2010–2023)}}

{{Infobox racehorse

| horsename = Protectionist

| image = Protectionist before the 2014 Melbourne Cup cropped.jpg

| caption = Protectionist before the 2014 Melbourne Cup

| sire = Monsun

| grandsire = Königsstuhl

| dam = Patineuse

| damsire = Peintre Celebre

| sex = Stallion

| foaled = {{birth date|df=y|2010|03|21}}

| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|2023|11|14|2010|03|21}}

| country = Germany

| colour = Bay

| breeder =

| owner = Christoph Berglar
Australian Bloodstock

| trainer = {{Interlanguage link multi|Andreas Wöhler|de}}

| record = 21-8-3-1

| earnings = A$4,397,929

| race = Prix Kergorlay (2014)
Hansa-Preis (2014, 2016)
Melbourne Cup (2014)
Grosser Preis von Berlin (2016)

| awards = Australian Champion Stayer (2015)

| honours =

| updated= 14 August 2016}}

Protectionist (21 March 2010 – 14 November 2023) was 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 {{Interlanguage link multi|Andreas Wöhler|de}}, 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 was part-owned by his breeder, Christoph Berglar, and also by Australian Bloodstock, a syndicate based in Newcastle, New South Wales.Craig Kerry (16 September 2014). [https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/2570762/newcastles-melbourne-cup-bids-in-2014/ "Newcastle's Melbourne Cup bid for 2014: Protectionist, Terrubi"] – Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 4 November 2014. Protectionist was the second foal out of the Peintre Celebre mare Patineuse. Protectionist died in November 2023, at the age of 13.{{cite news |date=17 November 2023 |title='He meant a lot to so many' - Australian Bloodstock announces death of Melbourne Cup hero Protectionist |url=https://www.racingpost.com/bloodstock/news/international/he-meant-a-lot-to-so-many-australian-bloodstock-announces-death-of-melbourne-cup-hero-protectionist-arebX6u0P1sA/ |access-date=10 April 2025 |publisher=Racing Post}}

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.Jared Timms (4 November 2014). [http://www.horseracing.com.au/news/melbourne-cup-betting-steers-away-from-protectionist/ "Melbourne Cup Betting Steers Away From Protectionist"] – HorseRacing.com.au. Retrieved 4 November 2014.

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.Patrick Bartley (12 October 2014). [http://www.theage.com.au/sport/horseracing/german-horse-protectionist-cofavourite-to-win-melbourne-cup-20141012-114xhs.html "German horse Protectionist co-favourite to win Melbourne Cup"] – The Age. Retrieved 4 November 2014.

At the 2014 Melbourne Cup, Protectionist was ridden by British jockey Ryan Moore, who had won the Cox Plate on Adelaide ten days earlier.Adam Pengilly (3 November 2014). [http://www.theage.com.au/sport/horseracing/2014-melbourne-cup-protectionist-a-chance-with-ryan-moore-in-the-saddle-20141103-11fxzf.html "2014 Melbourne Cup: Protectionist a chance with Ryan Moore in the saddle"] – The Age. Retrieved 4 November 2014. 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.[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-04/melbourne-cup-day-2014-live-blog/5862682 "Melbourne Cup: Protectionist triumphs as favourite Admire Rakti collapses and dies after finishing last"] – ABC News. Retrieved 4 November 2014. 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.Bren O'Brien (4 November 2014). [http://www.racing.com/news/2014-11-04/protectionists-cup-win-by-the-numbers "Protectionist's Cup Win - By the Numbers"] – Racing.com. Retrieved 4 November 2014.

Pedigree

{{Pedigree

|name = Protectionist (GER), bay stallion, 2010[http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=9051171®istry=T&horse_name==Protectionist%20(GER)&dam_name=Patineuse%20(IRE)&foaling_year=2010&nicking_stats_indicator=Y Protectionist pedigree] – EquineLine.com. Retrieved 4 November 2014.

|m = Patineuse

|f = Monsun

|mm = Parisienne

|mf = Peintre Celebre

|fm = Mosella

|ff = Königsstuhl

|mmm = Poughkeepsie

|mmf = Distant Relative

|mfm =Peinture Bleue

|mff = Nureyev

|fmm = Monasia

|fmf = Surumu