In a surprising turn of events, Racing Victoria (RV) has pulled Irish colt Jan Brueghel from the upcoming $8.5 million Melbourne Cup, citing veterinary concerns. The move left the Aidan O’Brien-trained stayer’s connections stunned, as the unbeaten horse appeared in peak form leading up to the race.
Coolmore’s Tom Magnier expressed frustration over Tuesday’s decision, highlighting that Jan Brueghel had shown no signs of injury during preparations at Werribee. “He went through all protocols in Ireland before coming down here,” Magnier told SEN. “The lads were thrilled with him; he’s been bouncing in quarantine. But the vets decided he didn’t pass inspection to run in the Melbourne Cup.”
Jan Brueghel, fresh off a victory in last month’s Group One St Leger in the UK, had only arrived in Australia three weeks ago and was among the favorites. For Coolmore, however, the horse’s welfare takes priority. “I’m extremely disappointed for our team who’ve worked tirelessly to get him here,” Magnier added. “But at Coolmore, the horse always comes first.”
Racing Victoria released a statement confirming the decision, backed by a panel of international equine surgeons and imaging specialists who reviewed CT scans and determined Jan Brueghel faced a “heightened risk of injury.”
With the scratch, 2014 Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Ryan Moore now finds himself without a ride in what’s billed as “the race that stops a nation.”
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