Melbourne Cup international horses quarantine compromised after staffer scales fence at Werribee

THE Melbourne Cup has been hit by a security breach at the quarantine centre for international horses in Werribee.

Brown Panther

THE Melbourne Cup has been hit by a security breach at the quarantine centre for international horses.

Racing Victoria last night confirmed a handler for English raider Brown Panther had been sent home after an incident at the Werribee facility on Saturday night.

The stable staffer scaled two fences to enter and leave the International Horse Centre.

Brown Panther is owned by retired English soccer great Michael Owen, who will be in Melbourne for next Tuesday's $6.2 million race.

The staff member is understood to be Andrew Jackson.

The horse's trainer Tom Dascombe, who is now seeking to fly to Melbourne on Monday, told The Racing Post: "He (Andrew) is my longest-serving member of staff and I feel very disappointed and let down by him.

Christopher Ely works Brown Panther at the Werribee quarantine. Picture: Jay Town

"It is quite out of character. He has travelled horses to Dubai, America and Turkey for me and never done anything like this. It's rather embarrassing and all I can do is apologise."

The Royal Ascot-winning horse is a $21 chance to take out the race that stops the nation.

Racing Victoria said there was no suggestion of foul play.

"We can confirm that one of the stable staff with Brown Panther breached quarantine on Saturday night ... when he entered and left the stables without following the necessary protocols around showering and the changing of clothes," Racing Victoria's international recruitment officer Leigh Jordon said.

"Following consultation with DAFF (the Department of Agriculture) and the horse's trainer (Tom Dascombe) it has been determined that the staff member will return home to England, while another remains to oversee the horse's preparation.

"DAFF are satisfied with the immediate action taken by our quarantine supervisors in ensuring that the staff member was subsequently showered and his clothes detained before leaving the racetrack.

"This incident has had no impact on the quarantine status of horses in the International Horse Centre and there is absolutely no suggestion of foul play.

"Brown Panther has not and will not miss any work as a result of this incident and no other horses have been impacted in any manner."