Motivator (2002 – 2026)

Their Story

Motivator was a British Thoroughbred racehorse whose racing career lasted from August 2004 until October 2005, during which he ran seven times and won four races, becoming best known as the winner of the 2005 Epsom Derby. At Epsom, the 3/1 favourite stormed to an emphatic five-length victory under jockey Johnny Murtagh. He was named Horse of the Year and Champion three-year-old colt for 2005 by the British Horseracing Board. A bay horse with a white star 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 bloodstock agent John Warren on behalf of the Royal Ascot Racing Club, a partnership whose 230 members included television personality Simon Cowell. He was retired to stud, where he sired the dual Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Treve. Over his breeding career, he became the sire of 417 winners, including 35 stakes scorers, with Treve and Prix de l'Opera winner Ridasiyna among his Group 1 winners. He died from a suspected heart attack on July 3, 2026, having just completed his 20th season at stud.</bio> <parameter name="timelineEvents">[ { "date": "2002-02-22", "title": "Foaled", "description": "Born at Deerfield Farm, Cambridgeshire" }, { "date": "2003", "title": "Purchased at yearling sale", "description": "Bought for 75,000gns at Tattersalls October Yearling Sale by John Warren Bloodstock on behalf of the Royal Ascot Racing Club" }, { "date": "2004-08", "title": "Racing debut", "description": "Won maiden race at Newmarket by six lengths under Kieren Fallon" }, { "date": "2004-10", "title": "Group 1 success", "description": "Won Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster" }, { "date": "2005-05-12", "title": "Dante Stakes victory", "description": "Won the important Derby trial race at York" }, { "date": "2005-06-04", "title": "2005 Epsom Derby victory", "description": "Won by five lengths under Johnny Murtagh as 3/1 favourite, becoming first syndicate-owned winner of the Classic" }, { "date": "2005", "title": "Horse of the Year", "description": "Named Horse of the Year and Champion three-year-old colt by the British Horseracing Board" }, { "date": "2006", "title": "Retirement to stud", "description": "Retired to National Stud at £20,000 introductory fee" }, { "date": "2013", "title": "Greatest success as sire", "description": "Daughter Treve won the Prix de Diane, beginning her remarkable career as dual Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner" }, { "date": "2026-07-03", "title": "Death", "description": "Died at Haras du Hoguenet, France, aged 24, from a suspected heart attack" } ]