Crystal Black is ruled out of travelling to Australia

Royal Ascot star and top Melbourne Cup contender Crystal Black has been ruled out of travelling to Australia due to a recent setback.

The six-year-old, who has won all four of his starts this season under the guidance of trainer Ger Keane and his son Colin, captured the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, generating jubilant celebrations in the winner’s enclosure.

Following that triumph, Crystal Black continued his impressive form with a commanding victory in the Group Three Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown. He was primed for a strong Melbourne Cup bid, but he is missing from the initial nominations, and his trainer has confirmed that he will now be sidelined for the remainder of 2024.

Keane explained: "He’s encountered a minor setback and will now take a winter break. It’s not a serious issue, but he wouldn't be ready for the Melbourne Cup in his current condition. He developed a viral infection, which led to very low blood levels and left him not quite himself. Forcing him to race in the Melbourne Cup wouldn’t be fair to him, and we’d be pushing him too hard. It’s a minor setback, so we’ll give him the winter off and reassess his plans for next year."