Tragedy has hit the Melbourne Cup carnival after confirmation a horse involved in a horrific fall at the Flemington track was euthanised.
Regal Monarch was being ridden by jockey Joao Moreira in the fourth race of the day when the gelding struck the turf in the home turn.
The five-year-old thoroughbred was taken to Werribee Veterinary Hospital but could not be saved, Racing Victoria’s chief vet Grace Forbes said.
Tragedy has hit the Melbourne Cup carnival after confirmation Regal Monarch (pictured closest) who was involved in a horrific fall at the Flemington track has been euthanised
The thoroughbred was being ridden by jockey Joao Moreira in the fourth race of the day when the gelding struck the turf in the home turn throwing the rider
‘It is with sadness that we can confirm that the horse has been humanely euthanised on veterinary advice as a result of the injuries sustained,’ she said.
‘Our sympathies are extended at this time to the owners of Regal Monarch, trainer Chris Waller, and his staff who cared deeply for their horse and are naturally devastated by their loss.’
Jockey Joao Moreira was cleared of serious injury but was sidelined for the remainder of the day, forcing him off his Cup mount Thomas Hobson.
Despite paramedics rushing to treat Moreira’s leg as he lay on the ground following the fall, he was eventually able to make it to his feet and walk off without assistance.
The Hong Kong-based rider reportedly suffered severe bruising to his left calf and right thigh, according to Yahoo7.
He was replaced by up-and-coming apprentice jockey Ben Allen, 18, who finished in sixth place in the ride.
The five-year-old gelding was taken to Werribee Veterinary Hospital but could not be saved, Racing Victoria’s chief vet Grace Forbes said
Jockey Joao Moreira was cleared of serious injury but was sidelined for the remainder of the day, forcing him off his Melbourne Cup mount Thomas Hobson
Activist groups including the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses are outraged, demanding reforms in the industry (Pictured, Regal Monarch being loaded into a float following the fall)
Meanwhile, activist groups including the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses are outraged, demanding reforms in the industry.
‘It’s time for the racing industry to ban the whip and phase out two-year-old racing so that racehorses aren’t overworked and over-exerted,’ Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses campaign director Elio Celotto said in a statement.
Despite Victoria claiming good safety records in racing, there have been a number of notable racehorse deaths in recent years.
Japanese racer Admire Rakti collapsed and died in his stall following the 2014 Melbourne Cup, while seventh-place runner Araldo was also euthanised after breaking his hind leg in the same race.
The following year also saw triple runner-up Red Cadeaux put down just weeks after the race, having suffered a fracture.
Around 137 horses are believed to have died racing in the last year, with 26 occurring in Victoria, according to numbers from the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses.
Despite Victoria claiming good safety records in racing, there have been a number of notable racehorse deaths in recent years including Admire Rakti, Araldo and Red Cadeaux
Despite paramedics rushing onto the track, Moreira fared luckier than his mount and was eventually able to make it to his feet and walk off without assistance with ‘bruising to his legs’