Melbourne Cup death theory rings true

The race that stops a nation has essentially marked the reopening of Victoria as 10,000 fans were welcomed into Flemington Racecourse as countless more watched from packed pubs.

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But the international flavour that had dominated the past few years of the event was lacking as only two — US horse Spanish Mission and defending Irish champion Twilight Payment — entered the field this year.

While Spanish Mission nabbed third place, it was a race dominated by the locally trained horses as Verry Elleegant romped to victory.

The race always attracts plenty of money for the bookies, but in recent years it has increasingly been rocked by protests from animal welfare campaigners following the death of seven horses in the eight races between 2013-2020.

However, all seven deaths had been international horses.

One horse was hospitalised in 2021 as Tralee Rose was taken to the vet after she was stepped on during the race.

It’s feared she may have tendon damage which could end her career but Fox Sports News reported that she is expected to make a full recovery.

Two-year-old horse death theory rings true

The Melbourne Cup has been unable to shed the ugly stain of death in recent years.

On the eve of the 2019 Melbourne Cup trainer Richard Freedman spoke about the issue of horses being injured during Australia’s greatest horse race.

In 2019, he told Channel 9’s Sports Sunday that foreign horses were getting injured as a result of unfamiliar conditions and long overseas journeys.

“They’ve been thick on the ground in Australia since about 2012,” Freedman said at the time.

“Of the last six horses that have come to a catastrophic injury in a Melbourne Cup, all six of them were imported horses. The last Australian horse to die as a result of the Melbourne Cup was in 1979.

“Bringing them (foreign horses) has increased the visibility of those injuries, because it has happened to them. It’s not a good thing and they are at the centre of that.”

New Zealand-bred Dulcify was the last local horse to die in the race when it broke its pelvis in the 1979 edition of the race.

While it doesn’t take away the devastating loss of horse life during the race in recent years, the lack of international horses has given an indication of how important acclimatisation is for international horses in the two-mile race.

Tragic Melbourne Cup ‘disgrace’ laid bare

A string of deaths from the international horses have drawn outrage over the past few years.

The death of Irish stayer Anthony Van Dyck emboldened anti-racing advocates and animal welfare groups, who condemned how horses are treated within the industry. After last year’s race, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) blasted the “disgrace that stops the nation” and asked: “How many more deaths will it take before we call time on this disgraceful demonstration of national senselessness?”

In 2019, Ireland’s Rostropovich pulled up lame on the home straight and limped to the line in last place after suffering a stress fracture but made a full recovery.

In 2018 The Cliffsofmoher had to be euthanised after suffering a fractured shoulder during the Melbourne Cup, sparking a similar outcry.

The five-year-old’s death three years ago followed these previous deaths in Melbourne Cup day races:

— In 2013, French horse Verema was euthanised after snapping a bone in her leg.

— In 2014, Japan’s Admire Rakti collapsed and died in his stall after a race and Araldo broke a leg and was euthanised.

— In 2015, Britain’s Red Cadeaux broke his left foreleg, was rushed to the vet for surgery and was euthanised some days later.

— In 2016, British horse Regal Monarch died after a dramatic mid-race fall.

Minister hits back at ‘fundamentally untrue’ claim

In response to recent fatalities, race organisers this year took extra precautions to ensure the wellbeing of all horses. The 35 fourth acceptors for the Melbourne Cup were required to undergo screening with a sophisticated CT scanner at Werribee, to pick up any pre-existing medical issues and make sure all the horses were healthy to run.

The Victorian Minister for Racing Martin Pakula spoke on Radio National’s Drive and took aim at those protesting the event and the safety for competitors.

He also defended the benefit for the economy and tourism and the 161 years of tradition before slamming those campaigning against the race.

“There are people who pretend to be concerned about horse welfare, but frankly, I think a lot of those people would be disappointed there wasn’t an incident today, because their primary concern is to campaign against the Melbourne Cup,” he said.

“The fact is, the racing authorities have gone to extraordinary lengths this year through the pre-race scans, both overseas and here and the fact that a number of horses have been withdrawn from the race because there was any veterinary concern about their welfare.

“And the idea that some people like to propagate that racing people — trainers, owners, strappers, jockeys, handlers — do not care about horse welfare is offensive to many people in the industry and is offensive because it is fundamentally untrue.

“And those people who do not like horseracing and the Melbourne Cup are under no obligation to and I’m sure there are lots of things those people like that other people have no interest in but they don’t campaign to have them banned.”

Originally published as 2019 Melbourne Cup death theory proven correct in 2021 race