Melbourne Cup favourite sensationally stood down from racing for the remainder of the 2025 spring carnival

Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate favourite Sir Delius has been sensationally removed from both events and stood down for the remainder of the 2025 spring carnival after specialist veterinary advice. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained galloper underwent compulsory CT scans of his distal limbs, with results suggesting “the horse is currently at heightened risk of injury”. An independent three-person panel of diagnostic imaging specialists from Australia, UK and USA determined the results before Racing Victoria (RV) allowed the stable to conduct a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan to further assess the area of concern. The PET scan conducted on Thursday confirmed the initial CT scan, with Racing Victoria announcing the stallion’s withdrawal on Friday afternoon. RV introduced scans for all Melbourne Cup hopefuls in 2021 after Anthony Van Dyck was fatally injured in the race a year prior. His death, the seventh across the event in as many years, was the last since introducing the mandatory scanning procedure. The son of Frankel was purchased for $2.7 million by clients of the Waterhouse-Bott operation after establishing himself as one of the best horses in France, including participation in last year’s Prix De L’arc De Triomphe, the race many regard as the best in the world. The five-year-old surged into cup contention a close-up second in the Chelmsford Stakes first-up before a hard-fought triumph in the Underwood Stakes a fortnight later. He blasted to pronounced Melbourne Cup favouritism after a dynamic victory in the Turnbull Stakes on October 4, beating Antino and Via Sistina. Waterhouse had said “it would be a dream come true” to win her first Cox Plate with Sir Delius and there was still improvement in the 11-start conveyance. With Sir Delius removed from both of Australia’s biggest races, last year’s Cox Plate winner Via Sistina has regathered top spot in the betting at $2.05 over Antino ($3.40) for that contest. Al Riffa ($4.60f), a French-bred stallion who won the Irish St Leger on September 14, is now the market principal for the Melbourne Cup ahead of Half Yours ($5), who will start a warm elect for tomorrow’s Caulfield Cup. The RV report read as follows: “In accordance with the conditions of the Lexus Melbourne Cup, Sir Delius was presented this week at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre in Werribee for a compulsory Computed Tomography (CT) scan of its distal limbs. “CT scan results are reviewed by an independent panel of diagnostic imaging specialists which comprises representatives from Australia, UK and USA. Three members are nominated to review the scans for each horse independent of one another. “The nominated panel members reported to RV Veterinary Services that the CT scan results for Sir Delius indicated that the horse is currently at heightened risk of injury. “Given the imaging panel’s advice, in accordance with RV’s enhanced 2025 veterinary protocols, the Waterhouse-Bott stable was afforded the opportunity for Sir Delius to undergo a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan which can help determine the status of an area of concern. “Sir Delius presented yesterday (Thursday, 16 October) for a PET scan at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre and the results were shared with the same three members of the imaging panel for review over the past 24 hours. “Having reviewed the PET scan results alongside the CT scan results, the panel members have advised RV Veterinary Services that they remain of the view that Sir Delius is currently at heightened risk of injury. “Following advice from RV Veterinary Services in relation to the specialist opinions from the imaging panel, RV Stewards have stood down Sir Delius from competing in the remainder of the 2025 Spring Racing Carnival.”