Historically, the Melbourne Cup has been steeped in Australian racing traditions, which often included lead-up races. This approach, embodied by champions like Saintly and Jezabeel, was thought essential for a Cup-winning preparation. However, as the global racing scene evolved, so did the strategies for preparing horses for this prestigious event.
By the time Protectionist entered the scene, the merging of these racing philosophies had become more sophisticated. Trained by the renowned Andreas Wohler, Protectionist was a product of the European approach, which emphasised the quality of training over numerous lead-up races. Wohler’s expertise was complemented by the insights of Australian Bloodstock’s founders, Luke Murrell and Jamie Lovett.
Murrell and Lovett, who had previously come close with Lucas Cranach in 2011, saw potential in Protectionist during a modest race in Hanover. Despite an injury setback, their perseverance paid off. The innovative deal they struck with Protectionist’s breeder, Dr Christoph Berglar, allowed the horse to be trained in Europe while ensuring he would compete in Australia under the Australian Bloodstock banner.
The 2014 Melbourne Cup was a defining moment. Protectionist’s victory was not just a result of superior training but also strategic thinking. The decision to run in the Herbert Power Handicap as a lead-up race, rather than the Caulfield Cup, was a carefully crafted compromise between hemispheres. This approach, blending European training methods with an Australian lead-up strategy, resulted in one of the most convincing Melbourne Cup victories of the modern era.
