by TTR AusNZ
Dual-hemisphere Group 1 winner Protectionist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}–Patineuse {Ger}, by Peintre Celebre), who won the 2014 G1 Melbourne Cup for Australian Bloodstock, died recently at 13.
Australian Bloodstock, who raced Protectionist later in his career, said via X, “Sad to hear of the passing of 'our champ' Protectionist. A remarkable horse with such a strong character who meant a lot to so many people. #Lifechanger.”
Bred by Dr. Christoph Berglar, the bay won the G2 Hansa-Preis and G2 Prix Kergorlay for his breeder and trainer Andreas Wohler before being purchased by Australian Bloodstock. He later won the “Race That Stops A Nation” and switched stables to Kris Lees after that victory. Sent back to the Northern Hemisphere in 2016, he won three straight including the G2 Grosser Hansa-Preis and the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin while under the care of Wohler, and retired to Gestut Rottgen with a record of 22-8-3-1 and $3,785,601 in earnings.
From four crops of racing age, the son of Broodmare of the Year Patineuse has sired 43 winners, including Group 2 winner Amazing Grace (Ger) and Group 3 winner Lambo (Ger). He also has two other listed winners to his name, as well as the G3 Silbernes Pferd third Lion's Head (Ger).
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