Moody and training partner Katherine Coleman decided to abandon Spanish Mission’s spring preparation after vets found “wear and tear” in the stayer’s off foreleg.

In a video posted on X on Wednesday, Moody attributed the problem to Spanish Mission compensating in his galloping after sustaining a tendon injury to his near foreleg last year.

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Moody initially said Spanish Mission would be retired but corrected himself to say connections would decide whether the 2021 Melbourne Cup placegetter had another racing preparation in him.

“Along with the ownership group with myself and Katherine, we’ve decided to halt Spanish Mission’s spring campaign,” Moody said.

“He rehabbed successfully with a tendon injury on his near foreleg but, as is quite often the case with horse, they often load up their good leg.

“He’s sustained a bit of wear and tear on his off foreleg.

“He couldn’t have raced successfully and he couldn’t have raced pain free.”

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Spanish Mission was a dual Group 2 winner in England but has not won a race in Australia.

The stallion ran third in last year’s Australian Cup and finished midfield at his last run in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes earlier this month.

Originally published as Peter Moody withdraws Spanish Mission from 2023 Melbourne Cup and spring carnival