Trainer in ‘shock’ after huge Breeders’ Cup fancy Ramatuelle is dramatically kicked out of race

RAMATUELLE, the Breeders’ Cup Mile second favourite has been dramatically ruled out of the $2million race just a day before.

The 10-3 shot, trained by Frenchman Christopher Head, was withdrawn due to an unsatisfactory PET scan on Friday.

Head, whose father Freddy won the Mile twice as a jockey and as a trainer saddled Goldikova to win the race three years in a row, was set to have his first ever Breeders’ Cup runner with Ramatuelle.

It’s also a big kick in the teeth for the European contest at Del Mar as the filly was considered one of their best chances, and it leaves the French without a single runner on day two of the meeting.

But it does leave Charlie Appleby’s 2,000 Guineas Notable Speech a 9-4 favourite and Donnacha O’Brien’s Porta Fortuna not far behind at 5-2.

The French superstar had bolted up in the Group 1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp on Arc weekend and finished just half a length behind Elmalka in the 1,000 Guineas.

But a gutting PET scan on Friday morning showed that there were signs of bone remodelling.

While this is not a major concern, it was enough for connections to decide against running her.

Head said: “Ramatuelle arrived in good order; she’s been training well and she’s been eating up every day.

“This is obviously a disappointment and a bit of a shock for all of us, but at the end of the day, she’s healthy and well and that’s what really matters. 

“There will be more Breeders’ Cups for the stable, and we’ll look forward to those opportunities.”

The filly is also entered in the Fasig-Tipton November sale in Lexington, Kentucky on Tuesday and is expected to make a huge price.

However, a statement issued by her part-owner Arthur Hoyeau said connections would “take a day to carefully consider her next steps”.

Hoyeau also said: “We have immense respect for the Breeders’ Cup rigorous protocols and the dedicated veterinary team, whose responsibility to protect equine athletes is essential to our sport.

“Although Ramatuelle’s PET Scan report stated ‘no definitive major concern for breakdown was identified,’ it showed signs of bone remodelling.

While this is common in three-year-olds, it prompted the decision to proceed with an abundance of caution and withdraw her from the race.”

Breeders Cup Mile adjusted Odds

Paddy Power: 9-4 Notable Speech, 5-2 Porta Fortuna, 6 Carl Spackler, 7 Diego Velazquez, 11 Johannes, 18 Geoglyph, More Than Looks, 20 Chili Flag, 22 Goliad, 25 Win For The Money, 33 Ten Happy Rose

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