Coolmore's Unbeaten 2024 Melbourne Cup Hope Scratched

Coolmore Stud’s unbeaten four-year-old and second favourite for the Melbourne Cup. Jan Brueghel has been ruled out by vets.

In a statement released this morning Racing Victoria said; "Reports received 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 heightened risk of injury’"

"Following advice from RV Veterinary Services in relation to the specialist opinions from the independent imaging panel, RV Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Jan Brueghel from the Melbourne Cup on the basis that he was unsuitable to compete."

“We’re very disappointed. Obviously I’m extremely disappointed for the staff, all our team that have put in so much work both at home, travelling down and getting him here. I really feel for them because they were excited about this,” said Coolmore’s Tom Magnier on SEN Track.

“But at the end of the day at Coolmore the horse comes first. A decision has been made and that’s that.” 

Jan Brueghel (Galileo x Devoted To You), a northern hemisphere three year-old, is unbeaten in four starts, the latest when winning the Gr1 St Leger at Doncaster on September.

Earlier in the spring, another Melbourne Cup hopeful, Relentless Voyager had been refused entry to Victoria after failing Racing Victoria checks prior to leaving Europe.

The Ciaron Maher trained and Australian Bloodstock owned stayer instead was shipped to New South Wales where he has been cleared by vets and is slated to start at Rosehill on Saturday in the Gr3 Rosehill Gold Cup.