The dream of back-to-back Melbourne Cup wins is over for 2015 champion Prince Of Penzance, with a fractured leg ruling the seven-year-old out of the big race.
He came up lame at Caulfield on Saturday after a fourth-placed finish in the Herbert Power Stakes, before being whisked away for treatment and a diagnosis.
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He’ll require surgery on the leg and a lengthy recovery time and will miss the race that stops the nation come November 1st.
While the gelding has had some history with injury, trainer Darren Weir is confident the injury and subsequent procedure won’t be life threatening.
“Unfortunately he’s sustained an injury that needs three screws put in a fracture in the off-side foreleg,” Weir said.
“They’re very capable surgeons at Ballarat and hopefully he can recover well and who knows what happens from there.”
Regardless of recovery time, this injury could be the end of his racing career after 29 starts for seven wins, including one of the most famous Melbourne Cup triumphs in history.
The withdrawal also spells bad news for history making jockey Michelle Payne in her quest to defend the Cup.
Now without a ride, Payne was actually in the field when Penzance was injured on Saturday, taking the saddle of Dandy Gent who finished back from Prince at the post.
Very sad to see this beautiful horse injured today! Comforting to know he's in great hands at The Ballarat Vet Practice! #superstar ❤️️ pic.twitter.com/1Q55cLvo9z
— Michelle Payne (@mj_payne) October 8, 2016
Coming from frankly ridiculously long odds to take the big race last year, Prince of Penzance has had a solid season throughout the year and was expected to put in a strong run for the Cup.
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