The European challenge for the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) has suffered another big blow after Diego Velazquez joined Ramatuelle as scratched from Saturday's contest.
Diego Velazquez, an Aidan O'Brien-trained 3-year-old, was one of the leading contenders for the grade 1. Diego Velazquez's absence continued a testing week for the 18-time Breeders' Cup-winning trainer after he was forced to scratch Ylang Ylang from the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T), while Jan Brueghel was also ruled out of next week's Melbourne Cup (G1) in Australia.
The trainer said: "We just weren't 100% happy with Diego Velazquez this morning on the track, so we have decided to take him out ourselves."
Breeders' Cup Mile morning-line fourth-choice Ramatuelle was withdrawn just a day before the race as a precaution following a scan.
At 5-1 on the morning line, the Christopher Head-trained runner was considered one of Europe's best chances at the meeting, having bolted up in the Prix de la Foret (G1) at Longchamp Oct. 6. Her withdrawal means there will be no French-trained runners at the two-day meeting at Del Mar this weekend.
A PET scan report stated there were no major concerns but that she did show signs of bone remodeling, prompting Breeders' Cup veterinarians to advise she be scratched.
"We have immense respect for the Breeders' Cup's rigorous protocols and the dedicated veterinary team, whose responsibility to protect equine athletes is essential to our sport," said part-owner Arthur Hoyeau in a statement. "Although Ramatuelle's PET Scan report stated 'no definitive major concern for breakdown was identified,' it showed signs of bone remodeling.
"While this is common in 3-year-olds, it prompted the decision to proceed with an abundance of caution and withdraw her from the race."
She is also a headline name at Fasig-Tipton's The November Sale in Lexington Nov. 5, but Hoyeau added that connections would "take a day to carefully consider her next steps."
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."
Head was looking to continue his family association with the Breeders' Cup Mile after his father Freddy trained Goldikova to win three times while also celebrating victory twice as a jockey.
The Justify 3-year-old filly boasted top-class form across mile races in Europe this season, including when a half-length third in the One Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket in May and when filling the same spot a month later in the Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot.
European runners dominate the top of the market in the Breeders' Cup Mile, with Two Thousand Guineas (G1) winner Notable Speech listed as the 7-2 favorite and four-time group 1 winner Porta Fortuna as the 4-1 second choice among a quality field.
