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One of the horses that competed in today’s Melbourne Cup, named Anthony Van Dyck, has been euthanized after suffering a fracture, says Racing Victoria.
Anthony Van Dyck was galloping yesterday at Werribee racecourse, before the Melbourne Cup race.
Photo: Racing Photos / Pat Scala / AFP
The horse had to be euthanized after sustaining a fetlock fracture, Racing Victoria’s Executive General Manager of Integrity Services Jamie Stier said in a statement.
“The horse received immediate veterinary attention, however it could not be saved due to the nature of the injury sustained.
“We express our condolences to the owners of Anthony Van Dyck, trainer Aidan O’Brien and all his staff who cared for the horse and are very saddened by his loss,” Stier said.
Today’s race was won by Twilight Payment, with Jye McNeil.
The Racing Victoria Integrity Services team will prepare a fatality report for Anthony Van Dyck, which will include an autopsy to be performed by the University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinic, Stier said.
Hugh Bowman, who was riding Anthony Van Dyck, was unhurt.
Racing Victoria said Victoria’s death rate on race day is among the lowest in the world with a safety record of 99.95 percent and a fatal incident rate of 0.05 percent. He said he is working to reduce race day fatalities to zero.
Anthony Van Dyck is the second racing fatality at Flemington Racecourse in 2020, Racing Victoria said.
The five-year-old stallion won the Epsom Derby last year and finished second in the Caufield Cup a fortnight ago.
The horse carried 58.5 kilograms and was ridden by rider Hugh Bowman, who was not injured.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) spokesperson Emily Rice said the horse was the victim of “the disgrace that holds the nation to a halt.”
“The reality of the abusive racing industry is that horses are made to run to the detriment of their health,” he said.
“Before they are even fully mature, these 500 kilogram animals, supported by ankles as small as those of humans, are pushed beyond their limits, forced to run at breakneck speeds to the finish line while being whipped” .
Rice asked that Anthony Van Dyck’s veterinary records be released after the investigation.
RNZ / ABC
