Editor
Irish horse The Cliffsofmoher has suffered a harrowing injury during the running of the 2018 Melbourne Cup.
The Aiden O’Brien-trained horse went down within the first 600m of Race 7 and spent a long period of time in the hands of trainers with the ominous tarps up.
Tarps still up on the track. Trainers still working on Cliffsofmoher. Shocking injury, feel for those involved. #MelbourneCup pic.twitter.com/Yu6q5bBuSE
— Jase Kemp (@jasetaylorkemp) November 6, 2018
RIP Cliffs Of Moher ????????????
— Art Martineau (@rebelsart) November 6, 2018
"son of The Cliffsofmoher's trainer Aidan O’Brien, said the five-year-old was in the hands of vets but conceded it “didn’t look good”https://t.co/XqYjkSve3w#melbournebloodycup#MelbourneCup
— Susan Metcalfe (@susanamet) November 6, 2018
**BREAKING** Cliffsofmoher has been injured within the first 600m of the #melbournecup. We’ll update with more as soon as information becomes available.
— RSPCA Australia (@RSPCA) November 6, 2018
After the race, it was confirmed by Racing.com editor Shane Anderson that The Cliffsofmoher died due to fractured right shoulder.
Horrible news. The Cliffsofmoher suffered a fractured right shoulder when injured in the Melbourne Cup, unfortunately could not be saved. Thoughts with connections. @Racing
— Shane Anderson (@Globalgallop) November 6, 2018
The horse’s death will no doubt spark more outcry from animal rights activists after a string of deaths at the Melbourne Cup over the past five years.
In 2017, Regal Monarch died in Race 4 while Red Cadeaux was put down in 2015.
The year before, race favourite Admire Ratki died from a heart attack and Araldo broke a leg and was euthanised in the same race.
119 horses died on Australian tracks between August 2017 and July 2018, according to PETA.
Cross Counter wins the 2018 Melbourne Cup
Full finishing order
WATCH: Melbourne Cup highlights