Red Verdon and Gold Mount ruled out of Melbourne Cup after sustaining injuries

There was a double blow for Britain's Melbourne Cup contingent next month after Red Verdon and Gold Mount were ruled out of the race on Monday.

Red Verdon, trained by Ed Dunlop, was found to have an emerging bone issue in his off-fore and will return to Newmarket, while the Ian Williams-trained Gold Mount has been retired after suffering a career-ending injury.

Red Verdon defeated Gold Mount in his final start in Britain and finished eighth in the Caulfield Cup, but a scan on Monday revealed an injury to his off-fore.

Robin Trevor-Jones, travelling head groom for Dunlop, said: "Mike Shepherd is our excellent vet in Newmarket and he believes the issue could have been there three months ago and could still be in three months after and it's something that needs managing.

"He has told us it's something that needs looking after and we've got to do best by Red Verdon. For the right reasons for the horse he has been taken out. The fracture is minute but this is where they start from and everyone would be devastated if he did himself any damage by running."

Gold Mount finished mid-division in the Group 1 handicap on Saturday but was scanned the following day and found to have sustained suspensory damage.

Previously named Primitivo prior to stints in Hong Kong with Tony Cruz and Richard Gibson, the six-year-old provided Alan King and Willy Twiston-Davies with a first Royal Ascot success in the King George V Stakes three years ago.

Gold Mount joined Williams this year with a tilt at the Melbourne Cup in mind, winning the Listed Grand Cup at York and finishing second in the Silver Stakes at the same track in two runs in Britain.

A troubled passage and run up the unfavoured inside rail meant Gold Mount finished 12th in the Caulfield Cup on what proved his final race.

Fabrice Smeulders, travelling head groom for Williams, said: “It’s very sad. He came back fine from the racecourse on Saturday and his legs were good, but when I took off his bandages the next morning you could see there was something not right.

“The vet came and scanned him and discovered damage to his suspensory so he has been retired.

“It’s a big blow for everyone. He’s a very kind horse and so professional. He was so relaxed in the mornings here and a gentleman. There’s no boxes at the races in Australia, they just have stalls with the horses tied up, but it made no difference to him. He didn’t move and took it all in.”

Gold Mount: a Royal Ascot winner when named Primitivo in 2016Credit: Edward Whitaker

Smeulders made the Spring Carnival trip with stablemate Magic Circle last year but will return home without Gold Mount, who will enjoy retirement at his owners’ stud Goldin Farm in South Australia.

He said: “Gold Mount had a big engine and was very unlucky in the Caulfield Cup with little luck in running.

“It’s amazing to come out to Australia with a horse. It’s a beautiful country so it’s a shame our trip has finished like this, but it could be worse and Gold Mount will enjoy a nice life in retirement.”

Williams tweeted: "It's a tough game, and setbacks are part of the sport, but Gold Mount will enjoy a peaceful retirement. He gave us some great times this year, and thank you for all the kind messages and support."

Caulfield Cup winner Mer De Glace has been issued a 1kg (2.2lb) penalty, taking his weight to 56kg (8st 8lb), for the A$8m (£4.25m/€4.92m) Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 5.

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