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Jan Brueghel, the unbeaten European star from Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle stable, has been withdrawn from next Tuesday's US$8.4 million Gr.1 Lexus Melbourne Cup following an unfavourable veterinary scan.
The withdrawal deals a crushing blow to O'Brien's hopes of securing an elusive first victory in 'the race that stops a nation'. Previous European raiders who have clinched the coveted prize include Vintage Crop (1993), who opened the floodgates for international success, while Cross Counter (2018) and Verry Elleegant (2021) have added their names to the honour roll in recent years.
Racing Victoria confirmed on Tuesday morning that the 4YO entire by Galileo failed to satisfy the stringent pre-race scanning requirements. The final compulsory CT scan, conducted last Saturday, revealed the colt to be at "heightened risk of injury" according to an expert panel of internationally-renowned equine surgeons and diagnostic imaging specialists.
Tom Magnier, Coolmore Australia's supremo, maintaining a stoic stance, told RSN927: "Obviously Jan Brueghel went through all the tests when he was in Ireland, everything was OK, and he's down here and the lads have been very happy with him but at the end of the day Racing Victoria have the decision."
The rising star, who had captured his four European starts including a commanding victory in the Gr.1 English St Leger, was being aimed at making history as O'Brien's first Melbourne Cup winner.
His withdrawal has left the powerful Coolmore operation contemplating what might have been.
Magnier added: "At Coolmore, everything is about the horse, we just want the horses to be OK, but Racing Victoria have said that this horse has failed the pre-inspections so he won't take part in the Melbourne Cup. This is the game that we're in, it's a game of highs and lows and you've got to be able to take the lows if you're going to enjoy the highs."
The news marks another chapter in the ongoing saga of international runners facing Australia's strict veterinary protocols, implemented to ensure the welfare of all competitors in the prestigious two-mile contest.