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Melbourne Cup Horse Anthony Van Dyck 'Humanely Euthanised' After Race

Melbourne Cup Horse Anthony Van Dyck 'Humanely Euthanised' After Race

The pre-race favourite was seen being loaded into an ambulance after sustaining a fractured fetlock.

Anonymous

Anonymous

A horse that ran in the 2020 Melbourne Cup has sadly died after breaking down during the 'Race That Stops The Nation'.

Anthony Van Dyck came in last place and was visibly breaking down on the home straight.

The horse was reportedly one of the favourites going into the race.

Racing Victoria's Executive General Manager of Integrity Services, Jamie Stier, confirmed the tragic death in a statement, saying: "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.

PA

"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."

News of the possibly death has caused an outpouring of support from people on social media.

One person wrote: "Love the races but when I see a horse such as Anthony Van Dyck break down it really makes me reconsider. Always occurs on Cup day especially. Could it be that there are too many horses on the track?"

Another added: "Racing people are the most gifted, talented & caring group when it comes to looking after their wonderful animals. Hard to fathom the most watched race of the year may have claimed another high profile racetrack injury. Thoughts with connections of Anthony Van Dyck."

A third said: "I was looking away when whatever happened to Anthony Van Dyck happened. I won't be watching a replay, and I'm hoping it's not as bad as my Twitter feed makes it seem."

Injury and death isn't a foreign concept to the Melbourne Cup and there has been a very vocal opposition to the race over recent years.

Six horses have died on Melbourne Cup day over the past seven years.

Verema snapped a bone in her leg in 2013 and had to be euthanised, followed by Admire Rakti in 2014 who collapsed and died in his stall. That same year Araldo broke a leg and had to be put down.

The same fate hit Red Cadeaux in 2015 and despite being rushed for surgery, was euthanised several days after the Cup.

Regal Monarch died after an ugly fall in 2016 and Cliffsofmoher broke its shoulder two years ago and was put down in front of the crowd.

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Topics: News, Racing, Horse Racing, Australia,