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Big news heading towards the upcoming spring majors has broken today with spruik import, Sir Delius, officially ruled out of both the 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup due to veterinary concerns.
In a major blow to spring racing fans and futures punters who had backed the dominant Turnbull Stakes champion heavily in all-in markets for both events, Racing Victoria stewards have withdrawn Sir Delius from the entries for the Group 1 $6 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on October 25 and the Group 1 $10 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4 after scans revealed a heightened risk of injury.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained five-year-old son of ace sire Frankel was a leading contender for both feature races chasing more elite level glory after impressive Group 1 victories in the Underwood and Turnbull this prep.
Under RV’s enhanced 2025 veterinary protocols, Sir Delius underwent a CT scan followed by a PET scan at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre. An independent panel of imaging specialists from Australia, the UK, and the US reviewed the results and advised against his participation.
This marks the first time a major spring contender has been ruled out under the stricter vet checks introduced this year.
The decision ends Sir Delius’ campaign prematurely, dashing hopes of a rare Cox Plate – Melbourne Cup double.
The ruling comes just days before the Cox Plate lights up Moonee Valley, where Sir Delius was sitting on the second line of betting.
He was also a top-three pick in pre-field Melbourne Cup betting.
Waterhouse and Bott expressed disappointment but accepted the decision, noting the horse’s welfare remains the top priority.
“It’s obviously disappointing, but we respect the process and the advice given. The horse’s welfare comes first,” Bott said.
Sir Delius will now be spelled, with connections hopeful he can return for an autumn campaign.
“He’s a star and we’ll look after him. He’ll be back — this is just a pause, not the end,” Waterhouse, who won the Melbourne Cup back in 2013 with Fiorente, said.
The withdrawal has prompted a reshuffle in both markets, with Chris Waller‘s reigning champion Via Sistina now back to $2 favouritism at Ladbrokes.com.au to successfully defend her Cox Plate title after her eight-length demolition job in 2024.
As for the ‘race that stops a nation’, the latest Melbourne Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au have Joseph O’Brien‘s Irish raider and top-weight, Al Riffa, as the $5 top elect.
Racing Victoria has reiterated its commitment to horse safety, with the 2025 protocols designed to reduce catastrophic injuries and improve transparency around vet decisions.
Sir Delius’ exit marks one of the most high-profile withdrawals under the new system, and while punters may be frustrated, the move underscores the sport’s evolving focus on equine welfare.
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