Aidan O'Brien's Jan Brueghel (Irish) (Galileo {Ire}) was disqualified from the G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup after failing a pre-race veterinary examination.
The unbeaten St Leger winner was among the inaugural favorites in his bid to give O'Brien a first victory in “the race that stops a nation” at Flemington next week, but Ballydoyle will now be without a runner in the race as a result of the decision the Racing Victoria Stewards.
A statement from Racing Victoria said: “Racing Victoria stewards have today, on the advice of a vet, withdrawn Jan Brueghel from competing in the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup, to be held at Flemington next Tuesday, November 5.”
“In accordance with the conditions of the race, Jan Brueghel was presented for mandatory CT scans of his distal limbs at the University of Melbourne Equine Center in Werribee on Saturday October 26th.
“Reports from an expert panel of internationally renowned equine surgeons and diagnostic imaging specialists who reviewed Jan Brueghel’s CT scan results indicate that the horse is currently at increased risk of injury.
“Following advice from RV Veterinary Services in relation to the expert opinions of the independent imaging panel, RV Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Jan Brueghel from the Melbourne Cup on the grounds that he was unfit to compete.”
Tom Magnier, who represents owners Coolmore, told SEN Track: “We learned this morning that Jan Brueghel will not be taking his place in the Melbourne Cup this year.
“He went through all the protocols in Ireland before coming here. The boys were very content with the horse – it developed splendidly there during the quarantine [at Werribee].
“But the vets have decided he will not pass the veterinary exam to compete in the Melbourne Cup.
“We are very disappointed. Obviously I'm extremely disappointed with the staff and our entire team who have put in so much work, both at home and on the way there and on the way there. I really feel bad for them because they were excited about it.
“But at the end of the day at Coolmore the horse comes first. A decision was made and that was it.”
