The race that changed everything: Jamie Lovett and Protectionist’s 2014 Melbourne Cup

27 August 2025 • Written by VRC

Jamie Lovett reflects on the race that changed everything – Protectionist’s 2014 Melbourne Cup win. It marked the beginning of Australian Bloodstock’s rise, cementing a reputation for sourcing world-class stayers and fulfilling Cup dreams again with Gold Trip in 2022.

Jamie Lovett describes Protectionist’s 2014 Melbourne Cup victory as the moment that changed everything. It gave Australian Bloodstock the credibility and confidence to expand the business, attracting new owners eager to be part of the next Cup dream.

On the morning of that life-changing race, Lovett sat with trainer Andreas Wöhler and jockey Ryan Moore over coffee, quietly absorbing the moment. He recalls how fortunate he was simply to be at the table.

"I am fortunate to be part of the team behind a horse good enough to compete in the race that stops the nation, and the one that every owner dreams of winning."

Eight years later, in 2022, Gold Trip once again fulfilled this dream for Lovett and his team. By then, Australian Bloodstock had built a reputation for sourcing European stayers and giving them time to acclimatise, a strategy that has become central to the syndicate’s success.

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The race that changed everything: Jamie Lovett and Protectionist’s 2014 Melbourne Cup

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