Leading spring contender Sir Delius has been ruled out of both the Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate following independent CT scan results that deemed the import unfit to contest either race.
The setback ends the stayer’s highly anticipated spring campaign, with veterinary findings prompting connections to withdraw him from both marquee events. Sir Delius had been among the leading fancies for the Melbourne Cup and was also shaping as a strong chance for the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
The scans were conducted under Racing Victoria’s strict protocols for international runners, designed to ensure all horses are cleared of potential injury risks before participating in the state’s major staying contests.
While the decision is a major blow for his connections, the welfare-first approach reflects Racing Victoria’s ongoing commitment to equine safety at the highest level.
Racing Victoria’s press release:
Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards, acting on specialist veterinary advice, have today ordered the withdrawal of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Sir Delius from the entries for the 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup at Flemington and 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate at The Valley.
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, the UK and the 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. The Stewards have appraised the connections of the key information that they relied upon in making their decision.
