One-time Caulfield Cup favourite Admire Deus is unlikely to race again after injuring himself during his final workout at Warrnambool Racecourse on Tuesday morning.
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However vets are confident the stallion will be able to be saved for a breeding career in his retirement.
The former Japanese stayer went amiss after rupturing ligaments at the back of his left fetlock, a most unusual injury according to Ballarat veterinary surgeon, Ian Fulton.
"It's a very uncommon injury but I feel he's unlikely to ever race again, but he's eating and drinking well since he came down from Warrnambool," Fulton said. "We have a salvage splint on the injured leg just like AFL footballers have when they use moon boots following an injury..
"He can be saved for a stallion, however we will wait two or three days before making any decision on wether or not he has surgery."
Admire Deus was on the second line of betting for Saturday's Caulfield Cup despite not having a lead-up run ahead of the Cup.
Darren Weir, Australia's most successful horse trainer, has learned to cope with the fluctuating fortunes that racing can throw up but the injury to Admire Deus, his Caulfield and Melbourne Cups hopeful, was a very bitter pill to swallow.
Weir said that much work, effort and expense had gone into Admire Deus' Australian debut and that a rare, freakish injury had thwarted those dreams.
"It's very hard for us. I'm feeling for the people who imported him. I'm feeling for our staff and I can tell you a young bloke who we sent to Japan and hasn't left the horse's side for five weeks is absolutely shattered," Weir said.
It had temporarily left jockey Craig Williams without a ride for the Caulfield Cup, but he will now ride one of Weir's other Caulfield Cup hopes, third favourite Amelie's Star. Weir hopes to land his first Caulfield Cup, and also has Humidor (second favourite) in the race.
Shortly after dawn on Tuesday, Admire Deus was striding out to the winning post at Warrnambool in his final serious track gallop before the Caulfield Cup.
The final touches had been applied. His coat was gleaming and his work had been stunning since he was flown into Melbourne from Japan just weeks ago.
Locals watched the gifted stayer amble up the Warrnambool straight, but suddenly the expensive import faltered and it was obvious something was very wrong.
Admire Deus' condition was soon the talk of social media.
Admire Deus was specifically purchased for Australia's two major handicaps and the horse had come from one of Japan's most powerful stables, which had prepared 2014 Caulfield Cup winner Admire Rakti.
"The worst part is that Admire Deus had thrived. He'd eaten everything we've given him. He enjoyed the water and generally adapted to our surroundings," Weir said.
"His gallops were outstanding. He looked terrific but just one problem sees him missing the entire spring carnival.
For Caulfield Cup punters, the result was a disaster. On Monday night, Admire Deus was sensationally backed across Australia, and the tough Japanese galloper would have started favourite if he'd emerged unscathed from Tuesday's workout.
In other news, high-class English stayer Marmelo worked stylishly at Werribee on Tuesday morning with jockey Hugh Bowman suitably impressed with the horse's work.
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Marmelo is an $18 chance to win the Caulfield Cup and at $16 to win the Melbourne Cup.
