Protectionist was the winner of the 2014 Melbourne Cup, ridden by Ryan Moore and trained by Andreas Wöhler [de], and became the first German-trained horse to win the race.

The horse was part-owned by his breeder, Christoph Berglar, and also by Australian Bloodstock, a syndicate based in Newcastle, New South Wales.

Protectionist ran fourth in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes, ridden by Craig Williams, and was subsequently installed as an early favourite for the Melbourne Cup with some bookmakers, though this status was acquired by Admire Rakti closer to the race, after his win in the Caulfield Cup.

[4] At the 2014 Melbourne Cup, Protectionist was ridden by British jockey Ryan Moore, who had won the Cox Plate on Adelaide ten days earlier.

[5] He won the 3,200-metre race by four lengths from Red Cadeaux, who become the first horse to place second in three Melbourne Cups.