The Aidan O'Brien-trained Jan Brueghel will not run in the Melbourne Cup next week following reports that the undefeated three-year-old has failed a veterinary scan taken last Saturday.

Jan Brueghel was joint-favourite for the race and news of his non-participation is a huge blow for Coolmore and Ballydoyle. Aidan O'Brien has twice had horses placed in the Cup but did not have a runner in the race since 2020 following the introduction of new veterinary checks introduced after the death of the O'Brien-trained Anthony Van Dyck in the race that year.

It's understood that Jan Brueghel was checked by Australian vets before he left Ireland for Australia and the horse has been in quarantine in Werribee for the past two weeks.

However, a statement issued by Racing Victoria on Tuesday morning, a week before the race, confirmed that the horse would not be allowed to run.

"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," the statement said. "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."

Coolmore's Tom Magnier expressed disappointment over the decision. He told local media: "The lads have been very happy with the horse, he’s been bouncing out there in quarantine (at Werribee).

“But the vets have come up with the decision that has been made that he doesn’t pass the veterinary inspection to run in the Melbourne Cup.

“Obviously I’m extremely disappointed for the staff, all our team that have put in so much work both at home, travelling him down and getting him here. I really feel for them because they were excited about this.

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

Despite this news, there is still Irish interest in the A$8.5 million Cup as the Willie Mullins-trained pair of Vauban and Absurde remain on course to run next Tuesday.