Saint George withdrawn from Melbourne Cup after veterinary scans
Racing Victoria stewards have barred the Ciaron Maher-trained horse from the rest of the 2026 Spring Racing Carnival over injury concerns.
Ciaron Maher-trained Saint George will miss the A$10 million Melbourne Cup after a veterinary panel found the seven-year-old faced an elevated injury risk. Racing Victoria said stewards had ruled the horse out of all remaining races in the 2026 Spring Racing Carnival.
The withdrawal follows a runner-up finish at the Caulfield Cup and fifth place in the Cox Plate. Blake Shinn had been booked for the Melbourne Cup after riding Saint George in the Cox Plate.
Racing Victoria said concerns identified in a CT scan prompted further testing under its veterinary protocols. Saint George underwent a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan on 28 October at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre. Three imaging panel members examined both sets of results and maintained their assessment of the injury risk.
The same three specialists had assessed a CT scan before the 2024 Melbourne Cup and found no heightened injury risk at that time, Racing Victoria said. Saint George contested that race and finished 22nd.
Maher’s other Cup contenders include Point Of Law, Juja Kibo, Mr Monaco, Shockletz, Middle Earth, Royal Supremacy and Zahrann.
