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Join our fantasy SRP leagueBott: Sir Delius may be ruled out of 2026 Melbourne Cup
Connor Scanlon • January 28th, 2026 1:13 pm
Star import Sir Delius lit the world on fire in his first Australian preparation since arriving from the United Kingdom.
The son of Frankel, who is co-trained by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, won two Group 1s in 2025 – the 1800m Underwood Stakes and 2000m Turnbull Stakes – causing the stallion to be rated highly in the markets for the 2025 Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
However, his stellar preparation was cut short after Racing Victoria stewards deemed Sir Delius unfit to race in those two Group 1s due to being at “heightened risk of injury”.
Bott joined SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up to provide an update on his star bay, who has already had two trials across 850m and 1000m in preparation for the Autumn Racing Carnival.
When asked if there have been any signs of injury that caused him to miss the back half of the spring, the co-trainer revealed that Sir Delius is in amazing condition.
“He's been excellent,” Bott revealed.
“No (signs of injury based off) all indicators that we're seeing and continuing to analyse.
“We're very happy with his overall condition, his health, and his soundness. He's in good shape and we're pressing on accordingly.
“Just obviously following a similar sort of pattern and programme that we have done in previous preparations to get him back to the races in peak condition.
“I think he's right on track and building nicely.”
Regarding the five-year-old's autumn plan, Bott announced that Sir Delius will have a relatively light autumn, but the $5 million Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) will be his Grand Final.
“Most likely going to see him kick off in the Verry Elleegant, the Group 1 over the mile,” revealed Bott.
“We'll sort of get him straight up to 2000m off the back of that.
“So his two main targets will be centred around the Ranvet (2000m) and the Queen Elizabeth being the Grand Final.
“That's most likely all we're going to target with him this this preparation - just sort of keep it a relatively light autumn.”
While the Spring Racing Carnival is still over half a year away, Bott admitted that the Cox Plate at Flemington is going to be the stallion’s main target of the spring.
“I think obviously that'd be a race that all the owners and connections would love to win,” Bott stated.
“The race being at Flemington is certainly very attractive for him as well, and he's obviously a quality type of horse that deserves to be there.
“So, long range target, we'd love to get him there, but plenty to happen between now and then.”
However, the Melbourne Cup may not be on the horizon for Sir Delius in 2026.
Due to his impressive spring and impending autumn, the five-year-old will likely be hit with a larger weight in this year’s Melbourne Cup compared to last year's – something which Bott and Waterhouse will need to weigh up when deciding whether to send him to the $10 million Group 1 or not.
“I wouldn't say any firm decision has been made there to rule that out,” Bott said.
“Again, we've still got a bit of time, but obviously we are now dealing with a different profile of horse targeting that race as to what we were last year.
“Those weights may look a different landscape for him going into it next year. All those factors would be weighed up as to what's the best race and programme for his overall career.”
Sir Delius is currently $5 with Sportsbet to win the Cox Plate this year, while being at $15 to win the Melbourne Cup.
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