‘We’re extremely disappointed’ in huge blow to Melbourne Cup as St Leger hero Jan Brueghel ruled out after failing vet check

Aidan O’Brien’s hopes of winning his first Melbourne Cup were dashed. Jan Brueghel was abruptly eliminated from this year’s race after failing a vet check.

The invincible St Leger hero was favorite at Flemington next Tuesday (4.00) with many bookmakers, but Racing Victoria stewards ordered him to miss the race. A statement released on their behalf said CT scan results showed he was “at increased risk of injury.”

Jan Brueghel was due to race in the Melbourne Cup with Ryan Moore and was working in Werribee, where the international runners are based, on Tuesday before the decision was made. The pre-race scan is believed to have taken place on Saturday.

Coolmore Australia boss Tom Magnier told Australian racing radio show SEN Track: “We have learned that Jan Brueghel will not take his seat in the Melbourne Cup this year.

“He went through all the protocols in Ireland before he left. The guys were very happy with the horse and it was jumping up and down in quarantine, but the vets decided that it was not tested to race.”

He added: “I’m extremely disappointed with the whole team who worked so hard to get him here. They were really excited about it, but at the end of the day the horse comes first and Racing Victoria’s decision is critical. Aidan will talk to the boys about what happens next, but we are very disappointed.”

Jan Brueghel was to be O’Brien’s only runner in the Melbourne Cup that year. He has not been featured since 2020, when Tiger Moth finished second to Twilight Payment, trained by his son Joseph, and 2019 Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck suffered a fatal injury in that race.

O’Brien has also been highly critical in the past of the rigorous testing of international runners before they reach Werribee. calling them “ridiculous” and putting three-year-olds at a disadvantage. last month.

A statement from the Racing Victoria stewards said: “Reports received from a panel of internationally renowned equine surgeons and diagnostic imaging specialists who reviewed the results of Jan Brueghel’s CT scan indicate that the horse is now at increased risk of injury.

“Following recommendations from the RV Veterinary Service in relation to the independent imaging panel’s findings, Racing Victoria stewards have ordered Jan Brueghel to be suspended from the Melbourne Cup on the basis that he is unfit to compete.”

With the departure of Jan Brueghel, Buckaroo is now 7-2 favorite (previously 5-1) with Coral in the Lexus-backed Melbourne Cup. The Brian Ellison-trained Onesmoothoperator is next at 5-1 with Vauban for Willie Mullins and the brilliant Cox Plate winner Via Sistina, while Mullins’ fellow runner Absurde is 9-1.

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Lexus Melbourne Cup (4.00 Flemington, 5 November)
Coral: 7-2 Buckaroo, 5 Onesmoothoperator, Vauban, Via Sistina, 9 Absurd, 11 Land Legend, 14 Kovalitsa, 20 Interpretation, 25 Okita Sushi, Zardozi, 33 bar

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Read the following:

‘I know I’ve got a good one’ – Onesmoothoperator loses bid for Melbourne Cup glory after impressive Geelong Cup win

Vauban returns to Australia to win Melbourne Cup as jockeys plans confirmed for challenger Willie Mullins

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