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Racing editor on the 'disproportionate' number of horses that die at Melbourne Cup

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 3 Nov 2020, 8:49PM
Anthony van Dyck before the race. (Photo / Getty)
Anthony van Dyck before the race. (Photo / Getty)

Racing editor on the 'disproportionate' number of horses that die at Melbourne Cup

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 3 Nov 2020, 8:49PM

The number of horses that die at Melbourne Cup is "disproportionate" compared to other races, the NZ Herald's racing editor says.

Twilight Payment won the prestigious race today, but it was marred by a horse — 2019 Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck — breaking down early in the race and having to be euthanized. It was the seventh horse since 2013 to be put down after racing in the Melbourne Cup.

Anthony Van Dyck, ridden by veteran jockey Hugh Bowman, broke down at the 400-metre mark and had to be euthanized. Tiger Moth’s stablemate had carried top weight. Anthony Van Dyck raced 19 times in five countries and collected five other wins to go alongside his English Derby triumph.

“It is with sadness that we confirm that Anthony Van Dyck had to be humanely euthanized after sustaining a fractured fetlock,” Racing Victoria spokesman Jamie 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.”

NZ Herald racing editor Mick Guerin told D'Arcy Waldegrave that the figure is at odds with other races, and there is no clear reason why so many horses die at Melbourne Cup.

"It's been quite remarkab

 

 

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