Motivator, les demoiselles lui disent merci
17/06/2013 - Chef de race
Arrivé en France pour la saison de monte 2013, l’étalon Motivator a signé hier dans le Prix de Diane sa plus belle victoire en tant que reproducteur. Issu de la première production du regretté Montjeu, Motivator suivra-t-il les traces de son illustre père ?
Great racehorse as juvenile winner of the Racing Post Trophy, which brought him favorite of the 2005 Epsom Derby, Motivator outclassed the opposition in the english classic following his success in the Dante Stakes (Gr. 2). Remember that his trainer Michael Bell (who also looks after Sariska) remained unbeaten at Epsom. He defeated then Walk in the Park (2nd) and particularly Dubawi (3rd).
Motivator ridden by Johnny Murtagh in the 2005 Epsom Derby
Twice runner up in Gr. 1 company afterwards, Motivator ended his racing career with a fifth pplace in the thoroughbred world championship, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. A 2005 edition of great class. Lets just mention the winning quartet : Hurricane Run , Westerner 2nd, Bago 3rd, Shirocco 4th, Shawanda 6th (one of the best fillies trained by Alain de Royer-Dupré, according to the trainer himself) and Pride 7th.
Motivator, the day he arrived at Haras du Quesnay
This tends to remind us that the 2005 edition of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe was more of Montjeu's. Indeed, 6 years after his own success in the big event, Montjeu was sire of the winner Hurricane Run and the 5th Motivator. In his commentrary, the excellent Stéphane Costes said: « Hurricane Run ! Montjeu won ! ».
Syndicated for 6 millions sterling ahead of his career at stud, Motivator retired to Royal Stud in 2006 for £20.000. He produced a dozen of black type horses including Skia (Prix Fille de l’Air Gr. 3) and Lumineux (Prix Rigway Listed) in France. Since, Motivator scored in almost 40 black type contests with his representatives. His best filly was Ridasiyna, amazing winner of Prix de l’Opéra (Gr. 1) in 2012.
Fils de Montjeu, Motivator transmet un sang riche et précieux
Haras du Quesnay, made a stand straight away for the horse. Every year, the Head family sent few mares to the stallionto produce : Val d’Isère (by Motivator ex Villadolide) 5 times winner, Durer (ex Dissertation) 2nd Prix Noailles (Gr. 2) and Matchem (Listed), Tibaldi (ex Treasure Queen) 3rd Prix Miesque (Gr. 3), San Isidro (out of Silvery Bay) successful in Prix des Epinettes (strong handicap) before being sold for € 85.000 to Meridian International, Million (out of Miss Alabama) 2nd to Vadero d’Airy in Prix Camille Duboscq (Listed) at Pau.
Treve, a daughter of Motivator won the Prix de Diane in great style (Photo APRH)
Also, from 2007 until 2012, Haras du Quesnay had 10 colts or fillies by Motivator. 8 are in age of racing : 3 blacktype among the 5 horsesmentioned above !
Vincent Rimaud's interview, director of Haras du Quesnay,
the day after Motivator arrived in France at the end of November 2012.
In 2010, Motivator could not take on his stud duties. Following a tendon injury, he had to take a year off. Arrived in France last November, Motivator did not suffer from his old set back and could now take over his sire, the late Montjeu. More of his sons stand his France. Walk in the Park in the south west, Davidoff in the north-east, Honolulu in Brittany, Montmartre in Orne, Noble Sangin Calvados (private stallion at Haras de Quetieville) and Spider Flight in Maine-et-Loire.
Notes : Sky Hunter, 3rd of Prix du Jockey-Club to Intello two weeks ago, is also a son of Motivator.
