Controversy has again befallen the Melbourne Cup after last-placed Anthony Van Dyck broke a fetlock coming around the last turn, leading to the horse being euthanised.
Van Dyck appeared to suffer a nasty injury to the left leg coming around the final bend was immediately pulled up by jockey Hugh Bowman – who was uninjured – before being loaded into an ambulance. Its condition was initially unknown, before Racing.com confirmed on air that vets had no choice but to euthanise the horse.
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Racing Victoria promised a full fatality report will be prepared. The full statement from Racing Victoria’s Jamie Stier reads as follows;
“It is with sadness that we confirm that Anthony Van Dyck had to be humanely euthanised after sustaining a fractured fetlock during the running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.
“The horse received immediate veterinary care, however he was unable to be saved due to the nature of the injury sustained.
“Our sympathies are extended to the owners of Anthony Van Dyck, trainer Aidan O’Brien and all his staff who cared for the horse and are greatly saddened by their loss.”
“The fatality report gives consideration to the circumstances of the incident and any potential learnings to assist in the prevention of similar injuries in the future,” Mr Stier said.
“The report will include the findings of a post-mortem which will now be conducted by the University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinic and we expect it will be several weeks before we have a completed report for consideration.”
Last year’s race saw Rostropovich rushed to hopistal as well, although that horse fortunately recovered.
The Cliffsofmoher, unfortunately, was euthanised on the track after suffering a fractured shoulder during in 2018. Both Anthony Van Dyck and The Cliffsofmoher were trained by Ireland’s Aidan O’Brien.
Horses Verema, Admire Rakti, Araldo, Red Cadeaux and Regal Monarch have all died on Melbourne Cup day since 2013.
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