Epsom Derby winner Motivator, withdrawn from the Breeders' Cup Turf.
The Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships lost one of its European stars Saturday when Vodafone Epsom Derby (Eng-I) winner Motivator came up lame following a workout.According to Breeders' Cup officials, they were notified Saturday morning that the 3-year-old son of Montjeu, being pointed toward the John Deere Turf (gr. I), had a great workout but was lame in his off hind leg upon returning to the barn."The Europeans are pretty devastated this morning," said Dora Delgado, vice president of nominations for the Breeders' Cup.Trained by Michael Bell, Motivator races for the Royal Ascot Racing Club. He has two victories and two placings in five starts this year.Delgado said the $60,000 paid to supplement Motivator to the Breeders' Cup will be forfeited as a result of the withdrawal.The Racing Post reported that Motivator will be retired to the Royal Stud at Sandringham in Norfolk, England.
