The horse, who was among the top fancies for both the Caulfield and Melbourne cups, was hurt during morning trackwork in Warrnambool on Tuesday and floated to Ballarat Veterinary Practice’s Equine Clinic later that day.

Jarrod McLean, the foreman for Weir’s Warrnambool operation, said jockey John Allen was aboard the horse for his final piece of work before Saturday’s Caulfield Cup when things went wrong.

“It’s absolutely no criticism of the club at all, it’s an absolutely beautiful surface to gallop on, it’s just one of those things,” McLean said on RSN’s Racing Pulse.

“He was working with his mate Burning Front and about 100m out he sort of come to his outside to join him and run past him. Initially it looked like he had broken a leg.”

McLean said there appeared to be no breaks or fractures, but x-rays showed fragments of bone and ligament damage around the suspensory.

On Tuesday morning, he said it was “touch and go” whether the horse would survive the leg injury.

“Our ultimate aim is obviously for him to live. As far as rehabilitation goes, it’s a horrific injury and I’d be very surprised if he raced again,” McLean said.

Despite Admire Deus’ withdrawal from the Caulfield Cup, Weir will still have two runners in the $3million race.

Top weight Humidor drew barrier seven and is on the second line of betting at $6, while Amelie’s Star is an $8.5 chance after getting gate 13.

Ballarat’s other chance is Lord Fandango, who lines up for trainer Archie Alexander.

The horse booked his spot in the race with last Saturday’s win in the Herbert Power Stakes.

He is a $21 chance after drawing barrier nine.