Michael Bell and Harry Herbert hailed the career of Motivator following the death of the 2005 Epsom Derby (G1) winner and sire of dual Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) heroine Treve.
Haras du Hoguenet announced Motivator's death July 4. The son of Montjeu, who had just completed his 20th season at stud, is believed to have died from a suspected heart attack July 3.
Motivator won the 2004 Racing Post Trophy (G1) at 2 in only his second racecourse start, and consolidated his position at the head of the Derby market with success in York's Dante Stakes (G2) in May.
Sent off the 3-1 favorite in a field of 13 at Epsom Downs Racecourse, he swept to the front under Johnny Murtagh as the pair stormed to a 5-length victory over Walk In The Park, with Dubawi back in third place, sparking extraordinary scenes as dozens of members of the Royal Ascot Racing Club squeezed into the tiny winner's circle.
Club principal Harry Herbert said: "He was a seriously talented horse and he gave everyone such a thrill. And those scenes in the winner's enclosure at Epsom, when you couldn't see the horse for all the members of the club, were extraordinary."
One of only a handful of current trainers to have trained both a Derby and an Epsom Oaks (G1) winner, Bell remembers approaching Motivator's date of destiny with plenty of confidence.
"My very best racing memories are with him," Bell said. "I was extremely lucky that Motivator was sent to me having been very well bought by John Warren.
"I was extremely confident on the day of the Derby. The horse had enjoyed a perfect preparation and if he'd been trained by Aidan (O'Brien), he'd have been odds-on. He had the perfect profile, he was much the best and he won like a very, very good horse."
Unbeaten in four starts to that point, Motivator suffered narrow defeats in both the Eclipse and Irish Champion (both G1) stakes—both at the hands of Oratorio, who had finished 10th at Epsom—before being reeled in by Hurricane Run in the Arc on his final start.
Bred by Deerfield Farm, Motivator was bought by John Warren at the 2003 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for 75,000 guineas before joining Bell. He retired to The Royal Studs at an introductory fee of £20,000, with his fourth crop producing his biggest star, dual Arc winner Treve.
Motivator missed the entire 2010 covering season before transferring to the Head family's Haras du Quesnay in France. He moved again to Haras du Hoguenet ahead of the 2023 breeding season.
He is the sire of 417 winners, including 35 stakes scorers, while as well as Treve, his other group 1 winner is 2012 Prix de l'Opera (G1) scorer Ridasiyna. William Haggas's popular multiple group 3 scorer Hamish also features among his black-type winners.
