Motivator (horse)
Encyclopedia
Motivator is a retired British Thoroughbred
racehorse
and active sire. He is best known as the winner of the 2005
Epsom Derby
.
bred by Salah M. Fustok's Deerfield Farm in Dullingham
, Cambridgeshire
.
He was purchased at the 2003 Tattersalls
October Yearling sale for 75,000gns
by the bloodtock agent John Warren on behalf of the Royal Ascot Racing Club, a partnership whose 230 members included television personality
, Simon Cowell
.
Motivator is one on many top-class middle-distance horses and stayers sired by Montjeu
. Others include the Derby
winners Authorized
and Pour Moi
, the St Leger
winners Scorpion
and Masked Marvel
and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
winner Hurricane Run
. Motivator, Hurricane Run and Scorpion were all from Montjeus first crop of foals, and were important in establishing him as a sire. Motivator is out of the American-bred mare Out West, making him a half-brother of the Hardwicke Stakes
winner Macarthur, and the Listed race
winner Imperial Star.
He made an immediate impact with what the Racing Post
described as a "scintillating" performance. Ridden by Kieren Fallon
, he took the lead a furlong
from the finish and pulled away to win by six lengths. After the race, his trainer demonstrated his confidence by naming the Group Two
Royal Lodge Stakes
at Ascot
as the colt's most likely next race.
Motivator was ruled out of the Ascot race because of the unsuitably firm ground,
which meant that he had been off the racecourse for more than two months before being stepped up markedly in class to contest the Group One
Racing Post Trophy
at Doncaster
. Despite his lack of experience he was made 6/4 favourite ahead of the Aidan O'Brien
-trained Albert Hall, the winner of the Beresford Stakes
. Fallon sent Motivator into the lead well over two furlongs out, and the colt stayed on strongly to beat Albert Hall by two and a half lengths, despite hanging slightly to the right in the closing stages. Michael Bell called Motivator "a very, very serious horse", while Fallon described the colt as "A Derby horse if ever there was one".
After the race he was offered at odds of between 10/1 and 16/1 for the following year's Derby
, the favourite being the Godolphin colt Dubawi
.
team, and Johnny Murtagh
took over as Motivator's regular rider.
Motivator was expected by some to run in the 2,000 Guineas but after an important exercise gallop in April, the decision was made to concentrate on middle distance races. Michael Bell chose to start Motivator's three-year-old campaign with a run in the Dante Stakes
at York
, for which he was made even-money favourite. The Dante is one of the most important trial races for the Derby
, having been won in runnings prior to 2005 by the Epsom winners Erhaab
, Benny the Dip
and North Light
. Motivator was sent into the lead by Murtagh a furlong out, and won "comfortably" although he once again showed his tendency to hang to the right. Bell was satisfied with the result, although he made it clear that the pressure of preparing the "highly-strung" colt had been a constant worry.
Motivator's price for the Derby was cut to as low as 7/4 as a result of his performance.
The betting for the race however, was re-arranged after Dubawi won the Irish 2,000 Guineas impressively. Two weeks before the race many bookmakers made Motivator and Dubawi were joint-favourites ahead of Aidan O'Brien
's Gypsy King, who had won the Chester Vase
with Kieren Fallon.
Motivator was a well-supported 3/1 favourite for the Derby, ahead Gypsy King at 7/2 and Dubawi at 5/1. Murtagh kept Motivator close to the pace, before making a challenge early in the straight. He immediately quickened past the leader Hattan and drew clear of the field, with Frankie Dettori
sending Dubawi in pursuit. Motivator maintained his pace down the straight to win by six lengths from the French colt Walk In The Park, who overtook the fading Dubawi in the closing stages. Murtagh described the win as the easiest of his three Derbies (he had previously won on Sinndar
and High Chaparral
) and expressed his belief that Motivator could improve further.
Motivator was regarded as an outstanding Derby winner, with Timeform
rating him the best winner since Generous
, and he was made 2/5 favourite for his next start in the Eclipse Stakes
at Sandown, where his only serious opposition was expected to come from the New Zealand-bred Australian Champion
Starcraft
. Motivator pulled hard in the early stages, but appeared to be going strongly when taking the lead in the straight. He was unable, however, to pull away from the field as he had done at Epsom and was soon challenged by Kieren Fallon on Oratorio (a colt who had finished only tenth in the Derby). Oratorio overtook Motivator inside the final furlong and won by half a length. Murtagh reported that the colt may not have been suited by the shorter distance and firmer ground, whilst Bell felt that Motivator had not been helped by the "muddling" pace.
in which he was ridden by Kevin Darley
. His partcicpation in the race had been in doubt as his connections were worried about the ground, which they feared would be unsuitably firm. For the first time since his debut, Motivator did not start favourite, being the 3/1 second choice behind the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Azamour
. Motivator raced prominently and led the field into the straight only to be caught in the final furlong and beaten half a length by Oratorio. While the tactics of the race did not seem to work in the colt's favour (he was forced to lead much earlier than intended), some commentators were expressing the view that he had been rather over-rated
His next race came in October at Longchamp in the 2005 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
. The return to the longer mile and a half distance was expected to benefit Motivator, and he started 5/2 favourite, just ahead of Hurricane Run
at 11/4. The result, however, was much the same as in his previous two races, with Motivator taking the lead, but being unable to hold off challengers in the closing stages. This time he ran on at one pace to finish fifth of the fifteen runners behind Hurricane Run Following the race a spokesman for the owners described Motivator's performance as a "mystery" and hinted that the colt would probably be retired.
Motivator was however, scheduled to make a final appearnce in the Breeders' Cup Turf
at Belmont Park
and his prospects of winning seemed to have improved when Hurricane Run was withdrawn from the race after "coughing". Shortly before he was due to be flown to America, Motivator was ruled out of the race when he suffered a minor leg injury in training. His retirement was announced immediately
.
.
In the 2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
Motivator was assigned a ranking of 125, making him the best British-trained horse and the fifth best horse in the world, five pounds behind Hurricane Run.
Motivator was named Horse of the Year and Champion three-year-old colt for 2005 by the British Horseracing Board
.
, Norfolk
, where his stallion fee is currently £8,000.
From three crops of foals to date (September 2011) he has had modest success. His only Group race
winner has been the May Hill Stakes
winner, Pollenator, but his best offspring to date is probably Hot Prospect, who won a valuable handicap at Haydock in 2010, and has been placed in three Group races.
Motivator was unable to cover any mares in 2010, owing to a tendon injury, but has reportedly made a full recovery.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
and active sire. He is best known as the winner of the 2005
2005 Epsom Derby
The 2005 Epsom Derby was a horse race which took place at Epsom Downs on Saturday June 4, 2005. It was the 226th running of the Derby, and it was won by the pre-race favourite Motivator...
Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
.
Background
Motivator is a bay horse with a white starHorse markings
Markings on horses usually are distinctive white areas on an otherwise dark base coat color. Most horses have some markings, and they help to identify the horse as a unique individual. Markings are present at birth and do not change over the course of the horse's life...
bred by Salah M. Fustok's Deerfield Farm in Dullingham
Dullingham
Dullingham is a village and civil parish in East Cambridgeshire, England. It is situated south of Newmarket and east of Cambridge.-History:...
, Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire is a county in England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the northeast, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to the west...
.
He was purchased at the 2003 Tattersalls
Tattersalls
Tattersalls is the main auctioneer of race horses in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It was founded in 1766 by Richard Tattersall , who had been stud groom to the second Duke of Kingston. The first premises occupied were near Hyde Park Corner, in what was then the outskirts of London...
October Yearling sale for 75,000gns
Guinea (British coin)
The guinea is a coin that was minted in the Kingdom of England and later in the Kingdom of Great Britain and the United Kingdom between 1663 and 1813...
by the bloodtock agent John Warren on behalf of the Royal Ascot Racing Club, a partnership whose 230 members included television personality
Celebrity
A celebrity, also referred to as a celeb in popular culture, is a person who has a prominent profile and commands a great degree of public fascination and influence in day-to-day media...
, Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
.
Motivator is one on many top-class middle-distance horses and stayers sired by Montjeu
Montjeu
Montjeu , is a thoroughbred horse racing World Champion colt and sire of champions. Sired by Sadler's Wells from the dam Floripedes, Montjeu is a grandson of Northern Dancer....
. Others include the Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
winners Authorized
Authorized (horse)
Authorized is an Irish-bred and British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse, winner of the 2007 Epsom Derby.-Background:...
and Pour Moi
Pour Moi
Pour Moi is an Irish-bred and French-trained thoroughbred racehorse, most noted for winning the 2011 Epsom Derby.Trained by André Fabre, Pour Moi came into Derby consideration after a last-to-first win in the Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud. He was made second-favourite for the 4 June 2011 Derby...
, the St Leger
St. Leger Stakes
The St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.Established in 1776, the St. Leger...
winners Scorpion
Scorpion (horse)
Scorpion is a racehorse trained in Ireland by Aidan O'Brien, and owned by Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor.As a three-year-old in 2005 he won the Grand Prix de Paris and the St. Leger Stakes. In 2007 he won the Coronation Cup.He now stands as a stallion for Coolmore's National Hunt breeding...
and Masked Marvel
Masked Marvel (horse)
Masked Marvel is a British Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2011 St. Leger Stakes.-Background:Masked Marvel was sired by Montjeu out of the German mare Waldmark. He is closely related to the 2011 Deutsches Derby winner Waldpark...
and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the...
winner Hurricane Run
Hurricane Run
Hurricane Run is a world champion thoroughbred racehorse.-Background:Hurricane Run was trained by André Fabre, and ridden in most of his races by jockey Kieren Fallon for owner Michael Tabor....
. Motivator, Hurricane Run and Scorpion were all from Montjeus first crop of foals, and were important in establishing him as a sire. Motivator is out of the American-bred mare Out West, making him a half-brother of the Hardwicke Stakes
Hardwicke Stakes
The Hardwicke Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.-History:...
winner Macarthur, and the Listed race
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
winner Imperial Star.
2004: two-year-old season
Motivator began his racing career in August 2004 when he contested an eleven runner maiden race at NewmarketNewmarket Racecourse
The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping...
He made an immediate impact with what the Racing Post
Racing Post
The Racing Post is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing and sports betting newspaper, appearing in print form and online.From 30 May 2011 - 3 July 2011 it had a circulation of 56,507.-History:...
described as a "scintillating" performance. Ridden by Kieren Fallon
Kieren Fallon
Kieren Francis Fallon is a professional flat racing jockey and has been British Champion Jockey six times....
, he took the lead a furlong
Furlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries....
from the finish and pulled away to win by six lengths. After the race, his trainer demonstrated his confidence by naming the Group Two
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
Royal Lodge Stakes
Royal Lodge Stakes
The Royal Lodge Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September....
at Ascot
Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races...
as the colt's most likely next race.
Motivator was ruled out of the Ascot race because of the unsuitably firm ground,
which meant that he had been off the racecourse for more than two months before being stepped up markedly in class to contest the Group One
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
Racing Post Trophy
Racing Post Trophy
The Racing Post Trophy is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late October....
at Doncaster
Doncaster Racecourse
Doncaster Racecourse is a racecourse in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. It hosts two of Great Britain's 31 Group 1 flat races, the St Leger Stakes and the Racing Post Trophy.- History :...
. Despite his lack of experience he was made 6/4 favourite ahead of the Aidan O'Brien
Aidan O'Brien
Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates....
-trained Albert Hall, the winner of the Beresford Stakes
Beresford Stakes
The Beresford Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September or October....
. Fallon sent Motivator into the lead well over two furlongs out, and the colt stayed on strongly to beat Albert Hall by two and a half lengths, despite hanging slightly to the right in the closing stages. Michael Bell called Motivator "a very, very serious horse", while Fallon described the colt as "A Derby horse if ever there was one".
After the race he was offered at odds of between 10/1 and 16/1 for the following year's Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
, the favourite being the Godolphin colt Dubawi
Dubawi
Dubawi is a thoroughbred racehorse sired by Dubai Millennium. He won five races in his race career....
.
Spring
In 2003, Fallon was no longer available, having been appointed the stable jockey to the BallydoyleBallydoyle
Ballydoyle is a racehorse training facility located in County Tipperary in Ireland. It is a sister thoroughbred facility to Coolmore Stud, and both are owned by John Magnier...
team, and Johnny Murtagh
Johnny Murtagh
Johnny Murtagh is a Irish flat racing jockey from Bohermeen, Navan, County Meath.He excels on the big stage, having won many Group 1 races around the world...
took over as Motivator's regular rider.
Motivator was expected by some to run in the 2,000 Guineas but after an important exercise gallop in April, the decision was made to concentrate on middle distance races. Michael Bell chose to start Motivator's three-year-old campaign with a run in the Dante Stakes
Dante Stakes
The Dante Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 88 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
at York
York Racecourse
York Racecourse is a horse racing track in the southwest of the city of York in North Yorkshire, England with a spectator capacity of 60,000. The most famous race to be held at York on an annual basis is the Ebor Handicap, which is run during the Ebor Festival meeting in August...
, for which he was made even-money favourite. The Dante is one of the most important trial races for the Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
, having been won in runnings prior to 2005 by the Epsom winners Erhaab
Erhaab
Erhaab is a retired Thoroughbred race horse and active sire, bred in the United States but trained in the United Kingdom. He is best known as the winner of the Epsom Derby in 1994...
, Benny the Dip
Benny the Dip
Benny the Dip was an American-bred and British-trained Thoroughbred race horse, winner of the Epsom Derby in 1997 by a short head from the future St Leger winner Silver Patriarch....
and North Light
North Light
North Light is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse, and active sire, bred in Ireland but trained in the United Kingdom. He is best known as the winner of the Epsom Derby in 2004. He currently stands at the Adena Springs Stud in Aurora, Ontario, Canada.-Background:North Light was bred in Ireland by...
. Motivator was sent into the lead by Murtagh a furlong out, and won "comfortably" although he once again showed his tendency to hang to the right. Bell was satisfied with the result, although he made it clear that the pressure of preparing the "highly-strung" colt had been a constant worry.
Motivator's price for the Derby was cut to as low as 7/4 as a result of his performance.
The betting for the race however, was re-arranged after Dubawi won the Irish 2,000 Guineas impressively. Two weeks before the race many bookmakers made Motivator and Dubawi were joint-favourites ahead of Aidan O'Brien
Aidan O'Brien
Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates....
's Gypsy King, who had won the Chester Vase
Chester Vase
The Chester Vase is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Chester over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 66 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
with Kieren Fallon.
Summer
Johhnny Murtagh rode Motivator again in the Derby, but only after successfully appealing a three day riding ban which would have ruled him out of the race.Motivator was a well-supported 3/1 favourite for the Derby, ahead Gypsy King at 7/2 and Dubawi at 5/1. Murtagh kept Motivator close to the pace, before making a challenge early in the straight. He immediately quickened past the leader Hattan and drew clear of the field, with Frankie Dettori
Frankie Dettori
Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori, MBE is an Italian horse racing jockey and celebrity. Dettori has been Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races.. He has had many successes in his role of stable jockey to Godolphin Racing...
sending Dubawi in pursuit. Motivator maintained his pace down the straight to win by six lengths from the French colt Walk In The Park, who overtook the fading Dubawi in the closing stages. Murtagh described the win as the easiest of his three Derbies (he had previously won on Sinndar
Sinndar
Sinndar, is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He is notable for his unique achievement in winning the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the same year.-Background:...
and High Chaparral
High Chaparral
High Chaparral is a racehorse, winner of the Epsom Derby in 2002, and the winner of the Breeders' Cup Turf in 2002 and 2003 .-2001: Two-year-old season:...
) and expressed his belief that Motivator could improve further.
Motivator was regarded as an outstanding Derby winner, with Timeform
Timeform
Timeform Publications is a publishing company in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England founded in 1948 to provide information to fans, bettors, and others involved in the horse racing industry...
rating him the best winner since Generous
Generous (horse)
Generous is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who in 1991 won both Epsom and Irish Derbys. Sired by Caerleon, his grandsire was Nijinsky...
, and he was made 2/5 favourite for his next start in the Eclipse Stakes
Eclipse Stakes
The Eclipse Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early July.-History:The event is named after Eclipse, a...
at Sandown, where his only serious opposition was expected to come from the New Zealand-bred Australian Champion
Australian Champion Three Year Old
The Australian Champion Three Year Old is awarded annually to the three year old Thoroughbred horse whose performances in Australia are deemed to be the most impressive throughout the racing season....
Starcraft
Starcraft (horse)
Starcraft is an Australian-owned Thoroughbred racehorse who came to international attention when he won the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Newmarket in England in September 2005...
. Motivator pulled hard in the early stages, but appeared to be going strongly when taking the lead in the straight. He was unable, however, to pull away from the field as he had done at Epsom and was soon challenged by Kieren Fallon on Oratorio (a colt who had finished only tenth in the Derby). Oratorio overtook Motivator inside the final furlong and won by half a length. Murtagh reported that the colt may not have been suited by the shorter distance and firmer ground, whilst Bell felt that Motivator had not been helped by the "muddling" pace.
Autumn
After a break of two months, Motivator returned to face a strong field in the Irish Champion Stakes at LeopardstownLeopardstown Racecourse
Leopardstown Racecourse is an Irish horse-racing venue. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing. Located in Leopardstown, County Dublin, 8km south of the Dublin city centre. The course was built by Captain George Quin and modeled on Sandown Park Racecourse...
in which he was ridden by Kevin Darley
Kevin Darley
Kevin Darley is a retired jockey, and a co-president of the Jockeys' Association of Great Britain...
. His partcicpation in the race had been in doubt as his connections were worried about the ground, which they feared would be unsuitably firm. For the first time since his debut, Motivator did not start favourite, being the 3/1 second choice behind the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Azamour
Azamour
Azamour is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He won four Group One races including the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and was Europe's Champion Older Horse in 2005. At his peak, he was rated the third best thoroughbred racehorse in the world.-Background:Azamour is a...
. Motivator raced prominently and led the field into the straight only to be caught in the final furlong and beaten half a length by Oratorio. While the tactics of the race did not seem to work in the colt's favour (he was forced to lead much earlier than intended), some commentators were expressing the view that he had been rather over-rated
His next race came in October at Longchamp in the 2005 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
2005 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The 2005 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was a horse race which took place at Longchamp on Sunday October 2, 2005. It was the 84th running of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and it was won by Hurricane Run...
. The return to the longer mile and a half distance was expected to benefit Motivator, and he started 5/2 favourite, just ahead of Hurricane Run
Hurricane Run
Hurricane Run is a world champion thoroughbred racehorse.-Background:Hurricane Run was trained by André Fabre, and ridden in most of his races by jockey Kieren Fallon for owner Michael Tabor....
at 11/4. The result, however, was much the same as in his previous two races, with Motivator taking the lead, but being unable to hold off challengers in the closing stages. This time he ran on at one pace to finish fifth of the fifteen runners behind Hurricane Run Following the race a spokesman for the owners described Motivator's performance as a "mystery" and hinted that the colt would probably be retired.
Motivator was however, scheduled to make a final appearnce in the Breeders' Cup Turf
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
and his prospects of winning seemed to have improved when Hurricane Run was withdrawn from the race after "coughing". Shortly before he was due to be flown to America, Motivator was ruled out of the race when he suffered a minor leg injury in training. His retirement was announced immediately
Race record
| Date | Race | Dist (f) | Course | Class | Prize (£K) | Odds | Runners | Placing | Margin | Time | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learndirect Maiden Stakes | 8 | Newmarket July Newmarket Racecourse The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping... |
M | 4 | 3/1 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 1:41.11 | Kieren Fallon Kieren Fallon Kieren Francis Fallon is a professional flat racing jockey and has been British Champion Jockey six times.... |
Michael Bell Michael Bell Michael Patrick Bell is an American actor and voice actor. He is most commonly credited in video games, animated movies, and television series.-1970s and 1980s voice work:Bell is a mainstay of 1970s and 1980s animation... |
|
| Racing Post Trophy Racing Post Trophy The Racing Post Trophy is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late October.... |
8 | Doncaster Doncaster Racecourse Doncaster Racecourse is a racecourse in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. It hosts two of Great Britain's 31 Group 1 flat races, the St Leger Stakes and the Racing Post Trophy.- History :... |
1 | 120 | 6/4 | 8 | 1 | 2.5 | 1:41.62 | Kieren Fallon Kieren Fallon Kieren Francis Fallon is a professional flat racing jockey and has been British Champion Jockey six times.... |
Michael Bell Michael Bell Michael Patrick Bell is an American actor and voice actor. He is most commonly credited in video games, animated movies, and television series.-1970s and 1980s voice work:Bell is a mainstay of 1970s and 1980s animation... |
|
| Dante Stakes Dante Stakes The Dante Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 88 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.... |
10.5 | York York Racecourse York Racecourse is a horse racing track in the southwest of the city of York in North Yorkshire, England with a spectator capacity of 60,000. The most famous race to be held at York on an annual basis is the Ebor Handicap, which is run during the Ebor Festival meeting in August... |
2 | 84 | Evens | 6 | 1 | 1.5 | 2:16.17 | Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh is a Irish flat racing jockey from Bohermeen, Navan, County Meath.He excels on the big stage, having won many Group 1 races around the world... |
Michael Bell Michael Bell Michael Patrick Bell is an American actor and voice actor. He is most commonly credited in video games, animated movies, and television series.-1970s and 1980s voice work:Bell is a mainstay of 1970s and 1980s animation... |
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| Derby Epsom Derby The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies... |
12 | Epsom Epsom Downs Racecourse Epsom Downs is a Grade 1 racecourse near Epsom, Surrey, England. The "downs" referred to in the name are part of the North Downs. The course is best known for hosting the Epsom Derby, the United Kingdom's premier thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old colts and fillies, over a mile and a half... |
1 | 725 | 3/1 | 13 | 1 | 5 | 2:35.69 | Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh is a Irish flat racing jockey from Bohermeen, Navan, County Meath.He excels on the big stage, having won many Group 1 races around the world... |
Michael Bell Michael Bell Michael Patrick Bell is an American actor and voice actor. He is most commonly credited in video games, animated movies, and television series.-1970s and 1980s voice work:Bell is a mainstay of 1970s and 1980s animation... |
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| Eclipse Stakes Eclipse Stakes The Eclipse Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early July.-History:The event is named after Eclipse, a... |
10 | Sandown Park | 1 | 232 | 2/5 | 7 | 2 | 0.5 | 2:07.00 | Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh is a Irish flat racing jockey from Bohermeen, Navan, County Meath.He excels on the big stage, having won many Group 1 races around the world... |
Michael Bell Michael Bell Michael Patrick Bell is an American actor and voice actor. He is most commonly credited in video games, animated movies, and television series.-1970s and 1980s voice work:Bell is a mainstay of 1970s and 1980s animation... |
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| Irish Champion Stakes Irish Champion Stakes The Irish Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1976, and... |
10 | Leopardstown Leopardstown Racecourse Leopardstown Racecourse is an Irish horse-racing venue. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing. Located in Leopardstown, County Dublin, 8km south of the Dublin city centre. The course was built by Captain George Quin and modeled on Sandown Park Racecourse... |
1 | 396 | 3/1 | 10 | 2 | 0.5 | 2:03.90 | Kevin Darley Kevin Darley Kevin Darley is a retired jockey, and a co-president of the Jockeys' Association of Great Britain... |
Michael Bell Michael Bell Michael Patrick Bell is an American actor and voice actor. He is most commonly credited in video games, animated movies, and television series.-1970s and 1980s voice work:Bell is a mainstay of 1970s and 1980s animation... |
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| Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the... |
12 | Longchamp | 1 | 729 | 5/2 | 15 | 5 | 4.25 | 1:39.92 | Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh is a Irish flat racing jockey from Bohermeen, Navan, County Meath.He excels on the big stage, having won many Group 1 races around the world... |
Michael Bell Michael Bell Michael Patrick Bell is an American actor and voice actor. He is most commonly credited in video games, animated movies, and television series.-1970s and 1980s voice work:Bell is a mainstay of 1970s and 1980s animation... |
.
Assessment
In the official European Two-year-old Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings for 2004, Motivator was awarded a figure of 117, making him the sixth best colt in Europe, six pounds behind the champion ShamardalShamardal
Shamardal is a Thoroughbred racehorse who competed in the United Kingdom and in France and was voted the 2004 European Champion Two-Year-Old.-Background:...
.
In the 2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
The World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings are compiled by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities , an organization established in 2003 with headquarters in Paris, France made up of members from around the world....
Motivator was assigned a ranking of 125, making him the best British-trained horse and the fifth best horse in the world, five pounds behind Hurricane Run.
Motivator was named Horse of the Year and Champion three-year-old colt for 2005 by the British Horseracing Board
British Horseracing Board
From 10 June 1993 until 30 July 2007, the British Horseracing Board was the governing authority for horseracing in Great Britain. It was created in 1993, and took on responsibilities previously held by the Jockey Club...
.
Stud career
Motivator stands as a sire at the Royal Studs at SandringhamSandringham
Sandringham can refer to:Places*Sandringham, Johannesburg, a suburb of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa*Sandringham, Norfolk, a village in Norfolk, England*Sandringham House in the aforementioned village, owned by the British Royal Family...
, Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
, where his stallion fee is currently £8,000.
From three crops of foals to date (September 2011) he has had modest success. His only Group race
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
winner has been the May Hill Stakes
May Hill Stakes
The May Hill Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September....
winner, Pollenator, but his best offspring to date is probably Hot Prospect, who won a valuable handicap at Haydock in 2010, and has been placed in three Group races.
Motivator was unable to cover any mares in 2010, owing to a tendon injury, but has reportedly made a full recovery.