Injury forces Motivator to retire

Motivator has not won since the Derby in June

Epsom Derby winner Motivator will miss the Breeders' Cup Turf race after being found to be slightly lame.

The colt is believed to have tweaked a muscle in his off-hind leg after his final preparation work at Newmarket.

The Michael Bell-trained horse, owned by the Royal Ascot Club, will be now be retired to stud earlier than expected.

"We are all very disappointed because we felt he had a great chance of taking the race in America by storm," said Club racing manager Harry Herbert.

Herbert added: "He worked absolutely brilliantly in his final piece of work but pulled up slightly lame behind.

Motivator has got the looks, the charisma and the pedigree to make a fantastic stallion Royal Ascot Club racing manager Harry Herbert

"It was nothing life-threatening but it was enough to put him out of the Breeders' Cup and therefore signal the end of his racing career."

After his Derby success, Motivator failed to win another race, finishing second in the Coral-Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes and fifth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

He had been 5-1 third favourite with William Hill for the Belmont Park race with Azamour remaining the market leader.

It was announced last month that the son of Montjeu would be syndicated to stand at Her Majesty The Queen's Royal Stud at Sandringham at the end of the season.

Derby winner to retire

"It's tragic news but I would like to go on record as saying what a marvellous job Michael Bell and is team have done with Motivator in making this last season so remarkably special," said Herbert.

"We are all very proud of what Motivator has achieved and he has given us the greatest thrill in racing.

"He is fully syndicated by a great group of owners and breeders and I am sure he will enjoy a lot of success at stud.

"He has got the looks, the charisma and the pedigree to make a fantastic stallion."