Veterinary advice has led to the withdrawal of Athabascan from the Melbourne Cup due to concerns over a potential cardiac issue. The horse’s veterinary team was advised that a cardiac arrhythmia presented an “increased risk of a cardiac episode” during the race.
Trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton expressed confusion over the decision, with O’Shea insisting the horse was “100 percent healthy.” Speaking to Herald Sun, O’Shea said, “All our data is spectacularly good, but for some reason, they’ve decided to withdraw the horse. They haven’t given me a reason why, just that experts suggested it, though I don’t know who those experts are.”
According to Racing Victoria, the decision followed the review of ECG reports and blood test results by three independent equine specialists. Each of the experts recommended that Athabascan undergo further testing before being cleared to race for safety reasons.
O’Shea countered the decision, stating that during a veterinary examination earlier that day, the horse showed a slightly irregular heartbeat while at rest, which he claims is a normal occurrence for Athabascan. He added, “We provided significant data, including ECG results from his gallop on Saturday, showing the horse was fine. He has a low troponin level, and there’s no issue with his heart. Despite this, they chose to withdraw him.”
This year’s Melbourne Cup has seen heightened scrutiny of horses’ health following a series of high-profile incidents in 2021, which prompted stricter screening protocols for international horses. Several horses, including Aidan O’Brien’s hopeful Jan Brueghel, have been scratched after concerns raised by additional tests, such as CT scans.
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