Prolific six-year-old will be back next season.
Crystal Black, one of the leading contenders for this year’s Melbourne Cup, has been withdrawn from the race following a setback. The six-year-old, who has enjoyed an unbeaten season, had sparked excitement with his impressive victories, including a triumphant win in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot and a dominant Group Three performance in the Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown.
Trained by Ger Keane and ridden by his son, Colin Keane, Crystal Black had been gearing up for a major challenge at Flemington. However, his absence from the initial nominations raised concerns, and his trainer has since confirmed the horse will miss the rest of the 2024 season.
Keane explained that the setback was due to a viral infection. "His blood was very low and he wasn't himself," Keane said, adding that pushing the horse to run in the prestigious Melbourne Cup would not be the right decision. While the issue is described as minor, Crystal Black will now be given a winter break to return stronger in 2025.
The decision to rest the horse reflects the team’s commitment to prioritizing his well-being, with hopes high that Crystal Black will make a full recovery and be ready for more big races next year.
