• Melbourne Cup Horses And Jockeys
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Melbourne Cup Horses And Jockeys

The race that stops the nation reached a thrilling conclusion as punters around Australia yelled at TV screens, cheering their horses on.

Many feared the worst for Rostropovich last year.Source:Supplied

Since 1882, New Zealand–bred horses have won 40 Melbourne Cups, British-bred horses five, American-bred horses four, Irish-bred horses four, German-bred horses two, and French and Japanese-bred horses.

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There was an eerie silence at Flemington today for the Melbourne Cup with crowds banished due to Covid restrictions.

However, it was not just the pandemic that threatened to dampen the biggest day in the racing calendar.

Anti horseracing protests were expected again on Australia’s biggest racing day, spurred by the deaths of six horses on Cup day since 2013.

That number has now hit seven after Anthony Van Dyck was euthanised after breaking down in the race.

It was loaded into an ambulance at the track.

The horse was one of the favourites heading into the race but went lame on the home straight.

There were no deaths in last year’s race although all eyes were firmly fixed on a horse called Rostropovich that was trailing far behind the rest of the pack.

Many feared the worst for Rostropovich last year.Source:Supplied

It was later confirmed he suffered a stress fracture to his pelvis and many feared the worst after a grim run of deaths in recent years.

Thankfully, Rostropovich made a full recovery.

Still, animal welfare group PETA lashed out after the injury, saying the incident was indicative of the cruelty horses suffer in racing.

“Rostropovich is the latest in a long line of horses who have been seriously injured or killed during the disgrace that stops the nation — the Melbourne Cup,” PETA’s statement read.

“The reality of the abusive racing industry is that horses are made to run to the detriment of their health. These 500-kilogram animals — supported on ankles as small as those of humans — are pushed past their limits, forced to race at breakneck speeds while being whipped.”

Rostropovich’s co-trainer Tom Dabernig told Racing.com he wasn’t aware of the impending backlash when his horse pulled up last year, with his first thoughts to provide immediate comfort to the horse.

What wonderful and caring staff we have in our industry - Rostropovich’s strapper Alice took herself to visit him at Werribee in the busiest week of the year. He continues to make excellent progress. pic.twitter.com/GnU1Y9gwdl

— Lindsay Park Racing (@lindsayparkrace) November 6, 2019

However, there was a big reaction on social media, with the hashtag #NupToTheCup quickly trending.

Two years ago the Cup was rocked by the death of Cliffsofmoher — who was euthanised in front of the grandstand crowd after the horse broke its shoulder.

That followed these deaths in Melbourne Cup day races:

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

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

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

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

Despite the deaths Melbourne Cup day remains one of Australia’s biggest events.

Racing historian Dr Andrew Lemon told The Age, that after the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1919, the Melbourne Cup rebounded with a massive surge in popularity as thousands flocked to Flemington, with some estimates of around 110,000 spectators to watch Artilleryman win in “record time”.

Once again a horse has suffered serious injury and been euthanised as the Melbourne Cup is marred by the loss of Anthony Van Dyck.

This year’s race was rocked by tragedy.Source:Supplied

Anthony Van Dyck has been euthanised after breaking down in the Melbourne Cup.

The horse was one of the favourites heading into the race that stops the nation but went lame on the straight, suffering a fractured fetlock.

Jockey Hugh Bowman immediately dismounted and Anthony Van Dyck’s strapper ran out onto the track to be with him as staff erected screens to shield the five-year-old from view.

The horse was loaded into an ambulance before being put down.

Anthony Van Dyck is the second horse in three years to die because of an injury sustained in the Melbourne Cup after Cliffsofmoher was euthanised in 2018. Both horses were trained by the same trainer, Aidan O’Brien.

Racing Victoria’s (RV) Executive General Manager of Integrity Services, Jamie Stier, confirmed Anthony Van Dyck’s death in a statement after the race.

“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,” Stier said.

“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.”

Stier explained a report will now be prepared by RV's Integrity Services team.

“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,” he said.

Melbourne Cup Horses Racing

The Victorian Racing Club released a statement offering its condolences to Anthony Van Dyck’s connections.

“We would like to thank the track and veterinary staff for their prompt and humane care of the horse,” the VRC said.

“The club remains totally committed to the welfare of all equine athletes and the ongoing focus on their wellbeing and will continue to work with the industry to understand the cause of this incident.”

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Jockey Hugh Bowman knew right away something was wrong.Source:News Corp Australia

Anthony Van Dyck is the seventh horse to die on Melbourne Cup day since 2013 and there has been a huge social media push against this year’s race, with the hashtag #NupToTheCup quickly trending.

Two years ago the Cup was rocked by the death of Cliffsofmoher — who was euthanised in front of the grandstand crowd after the horse broke its shoulder.

That followed these deaths in Melbourne Cup day races:

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

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

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

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

Anthony Van Dyck pulled up as the pack headed down the home straight.Source:Supplied

Twilight Payment won this year’s Melbourne Cup, followed by Tiger Moth (second), Prince Of Arran (third) and The Chosen One (fourth).

Anthony Van Dyck was the favourite for much of Sunday evening and Monday morning before pushing out from $8 to $10 on race day. He was in good form heading into the Melbourne Cup, finishing second in this year’s Caulfield Cup.

Punters flocked to Tiger Moth as the fancied Irish Raider entered the race as the clear favourite, but he couldn’t haul in Twilight Payment at the end.

Twilight Payment was a big mover in the betting market, shortening from $41 to $21 before settling at $26, making those who backed him extremely happy.

Anthony Van Dyck is the second of Aidan O’Brien’s Melbourne Cup horses to be put down in three years.Source:Getty Images