Diego Velazquez joins Ramatuelle in missing Breeders' Cup Mile in big blow to European challenge

The European challenge for Saturday's Breeders' Cup Mile (11.45) has suffered another big blow after Diego Velazquez joined Ramatuelle in missing Saturday's contest.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained three-year-old was one of the leading contenders for the Grade 1, but he will not take his place. 

Diego Velazquez's absence continued a testing week for O'Brien after he was forced to scratch Ylang Ylang from the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, while Jan Brueghel was also ruled out of next week's Melbourne Cup.

The trainer said: "We just weren't 100 per cent happy with Diego Velazquez this morning on the track so we have decided to take him out ourselves."

 Ramatuelle, who was the Breeders' Cup Mile second-favourite, was also withdrawn just a day before the race on a precaution following a scan on Friday.

The Christopher Head-trained runner was, at 100-30 generally, considered one of Europe's best chances at the meeting, having bolted up in the Group 1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp on Arc weekend. 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 remodelling, and connections decided against running her to avoid any risk. 

She is also the headline name at the Fasig-Tipton November sale in Lexington, Kentucky on Tuesday, but part-owner Arthur Hoyeau issued a statement adding connections would "take a day to carefully consider her next steps".

Ramatuelle (left): finished just half a length behind Elmalka (second right) in the 1,000 GuineasCredit: Alan Crowhurst

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 three-year-old boasted top-class form across mile races in Europe this season, including when a half-length third in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket in May and when filling the same spot a month later in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

European runners dominate the top of the market in the Breeders' Cup Mile, with 2,000 Guineas winner Notable Speech and four-time Group 1 winner Porta Fortuna among a quality field.

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