German-bred G1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Protectionist has been retired and will cover his first northern book at Gestut Rottgen in 2017.

The Australian Bloodstock owned stayer bowed out with an unplaced run in the G1 Canadian International Stakes (2400m) at Woodbine on October 16.

Protectionist (6h Monsun – Patineuse by Peintre Celebre) reached a career-high with a 4 length victory over Red Cadeaux in the 2014 Melbourne Cup.  He was on track for a successful defence last year but was withdrawn after finishing down the track in the Caulfield Cup won by Mongolian Khan.

Returning to form in Germany earlier this year, he completed a hat-trick in the Commerzbank Cup (2200m) at Dusseldorf, G2 Grosser Hansa-Preis (2400m) at Hamburg and G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin (2400m) at Hoppegarten prior to his swansong in Canada.

A son of champion sire Monsun, who also supplied this week’s Melbourne Cup winner Almandin, he will stand for a fee of €6,500.  Australian Bloodstock’s Jamie Lovett & Luke Murrell said they will consider shuttling Protectionist to Australia next year.