Aidan O’Brien’s hopes of winning a first Melbourne Cup dashed as leading contender Jan Brueghel was significantly ruled out of this year’s race after failing a veterinary check.

The undefeated St Leger hero had been the pre-post favorite for next Tuesday’s Flemington showpiece (4:00 p.m.) with many bookmakers, but the Racing Victoria stewards ordered him to miss the race. A statement issued on their behalf said scan results revealed he was at “an increased risk of injury”.

Jan Brueghel was due to be ridden by Ryan Moore in the Melbourne Cup and was working at Werribee, where the international riders are based, on Tuesday before the decision was made. Pre-race scans are believed to have taken place on Saturday.

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

“He followed all the protocols in Ireland before leaving. The guys were very happy with the horse and he was bouncing around in quarantine, but the vets made the decision that he would not pass inspection to race.”

He added: “I’m extremely disappointed for the whole team who put so much effort into getting him here. They were really excited about it, but at the end of the day the horse comes first and Racing’s decision Victoria was taken. “It was done. Aidan will talk to the guys about what’s next, but we’re just really disappointed. “

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

O’Brien has also strongly criticized the rigorous testing carried out by international riders before arriving at Werribee in the past, calling them “ridiculous” and putting three-year-olds at a significant disadvantage last month.

The Racing Victoria stewards’ statement read: “Reports received from an expert panel of internationally renowned equine surgeons and diagnostic imaging specialists, who reviewed the results of Jan Brueghel’s scan, indicate that the horse has currently at increased risk of injury.

“Following advice from RV Veterinary Services regarding the specialist advice of the Independent Imaging Committee, Racing Victoria Stewards have ordered the withdrawal of Jan Brueghel from the Melbourne Cup on the basis that he is unfit to compete.”

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

Lexus Melbourne Cup (4:00 p.m. Flemington, November 5)
Coral: 7-2 Buckaroo, 5 Onesmoothoperator, Vauban, Via Sistina, 9 Absurde, 11 Land Legend, 14 Kovalica, 20 Interpretation, 25 Okita Soushi, Zardozi, 33 bar

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Vauban returning to Australia for Melbourne Cup redemption as jockey’s plans confirmed for Willie Mullins contenders

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