Sports · Other Sports · 1 hr ago
Defiantly ruled out of Melbourne Cup after failing veterinary inspection
Defiantly was withdrawn from the Melbourne Cup after failing a veterinary inspection in Australia on Saturday.
The horse, trained by Joseph O’Brien, had been a leading contender and was quarantined at Werribee after arriving in the country.
Vets judged Defiantly unsuitable to race, following an earlier failed inspection on Thursday.
The inspections and scans are part of checks to reduce the risk of injury to horses in the race.
Japanese horse Stinger Glass and Australian-trained Saint George were also ruled out after scans found heightened injury risks.
Enfjaar and Wine Dark Sea passed their final inspections and were approved to take their places.
The Melbourne Cup field is due to be finalised Saturday afternoon, with the draw scheduled an hour later; Kizlyar may take Defiantly’s place.
Defiantly was ruled out of the Melbourne Cup after failing a veterinary inspection on Saturday.
The Joseph O’Brien-trained horse had also failed an initial inspection on Thursday.
Veterinarians said Defiantly remained unsuitable to accept for the race, and stewards withdrew it on veterinary advice.
The horse had won the Group Two Prix Kergorlay over 3,000 metres in Deauville, France.
Enfjaar and Wine Dark Sea passed their final inspections and were approved to accept their places.
- Who
- Defiantly, trained by Joseph O’Brien, was ruled out.
- What
- The horse failed a veterinary inspection and was withdrawn from the Melbourne Cup.
- When
- Saturday, 31 October 2026.
- Where
- The Melbourne Cup is in Australia. Defiantly was in quarantine at Werribee.
- Why
- Veterinarians judged the horse unsuitable to accept for the race.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Defiantly failed an initial veterinary inspection.
Veterinarians re-examined Defiantly.
Stewards withdrew Defiantly from the Melbourne Cup on veterinary advice.
- Trainer
- Joseph O’Brien
- Initial inspection
- Failed on Thursday
- Final inspection
- Failed on Saturday
- Previous win
- Group Two Prix Kergorlay over 3,000m
- Quarantine location
- Werribee
What people are saying
In the opinion of the veterinarians, Defiantly remains unsuitable to accept for the Melbourne Cup and has been withdrawn from the race by order of the stewards acting on veterinary advice