5,202 readsMelbourne Cup day has again been scarred by tragedy. Regal Monarch has been euthanised after going down heavily in Race 4, the Ronald McDonald House Charities Plate.
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The horses were entering the home straight in the 2800-metre race when Regal Monarch lost footing and fell to the ground at the back of the field.
Jockey Joao Moreira, who is based in Hong Kong, was able to walk away from the incident after originally being placed in a neck brace by paramedics who immediately attended the scene.
It’s since been announced he suffered no breaks and has escaped with only a corked thigh.
The jockey was scheduled to ride in Race 6 and, more importantly, the Melbourne Cup itself, but was replaced due to injury.
Moreira was due to ride Thomas Hobson in the Melbourne Cup, but has now been replaced by 18-year-old apprentice Ben Allen. He was the only jockey not riding the Cup who could fit the weight requirements for Thomas Hobson, with trainer Willie Mullins said Allen would be up for the race.
“Everyone has been a great help to me. We came up with two or three names and Ben Allen will ride. I’m happy with that,” Mullins said.
“He’s up for the challenge.”
Racing Victoria head vet Dr Grace Forbes said everything had been done to save the horse, but that euthanasia was the humane course of action.
“It is with sadness that we can confirm that the horse has been humanely euthanised on veterinary advice as a result of the injuries sustained. This decision was made in the best interests of the horse”, Dr Forbes said.
Regal Monarch had accrued a successful but short career, winning four races from 17 starts.
The topic of horses dying during Australia’s premier race day has become increasingly controversial in recent years. Four horses died on Melbourne Cup day between 2013 and 2015.
November 7th 2017 @ 2:06pm
I ate pies said | November 7th 2017 @ 2:06pm | ! Report
It was a fall, but hardly a “horror” fall
November 7th 2017 @ 3:14pm
anon said | November 7th 2017 @ 3:14pm | ! Report
The animal rights lobby will latch onto this. Melbourne Cup day is their favourite day of the year.
November 7th 2017 @ 7:01pm
Speep said | November 7th 2017 @ 7:01pm | ! Report
Why not? If a player is taken to hospital in any other sporting event it’s included in the match report.
November 8th 2017 @ 12:06pm
michael steel said | November 8th 2017 @ 12:06pm | ! Report
I was looking for a “LIKE” icon on the screen so I could just hit :LIKE”. ie I agree.
November 7th 2017 @ 3:15pm
Damo said | November 7th 2017 @ 3:15pm | ! Report
It’s Cup week – the media will call any fall as a horror fall!
November 7th 2017 @ 9:24pm
c said | November 7th 2017 @ 9:24pm | ! Report
dead
November 7th 2017 @ 11:20pm
Damo said | November 7th 2017 @ 11:20pm | ! Report
Yeah alright. I take it back.
November 8th 2017 @ 12:21am
Steve said | November 8th 2017 @ 12:21am | ! Report
The horse died. I call that horrible
November 8th 2017 @ 9:49am
Christo the Daddyo said | November 8th 2017 @ 9:49am | ! Report
“This decision was made in the best interests of the horse”
Pity the best interests of the horse weren’t thought about before being whipped into running around a circle for the gambling pleasure of thousands of drunk humans…
November 8th 2017 @ 1:03pm
Jimmmy said | November 8th 2017 @ 1:03pm | ! Report
Own a pet Christo? 44,000 healthy cats and dogs euthanised in NSW yearly . Pity the interests of the pets weren’t thought about before sanctimonious wowsers started complaining about horse racing.
November 8th 2017 @ 2:50pm
Griffo said | November 8th 2017 @ 2:50pm | ! Report
It’s really more of an avocado shape and the first 450m of the race is outside of that.