News Digest

Two horses die as Protectionist wins tragic Melbourne Cup

German raider Protectionist timed his finishing burst to perfection to win the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, but the celebrations were muted by the death of two horses. Favourite Admire Rakti collapsed and died in its stall after finishing last. And another of Tuesday’s runners, Araldo, was later put down after being spooked on his way back to the mounting yard when a spectator waved a flag at him, kicking out at a fence and injuring one of his hind legs. The death of the horses in the “race that stops a nation,” is sure to reignite the debate over the welfare of horses in the sport.

Events like these are a stark reminder to the community of the real risks to horses associated with racing. Sadly, injury and death are the price some horses pay for our entertainment in a sport that puts intense pressure on animals to perform to the limits of their endurance.

Statement from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

With another bumper crowd packed into Flemington Racecourse for the Aus$6.2 million ($5.38 million) race, Protectionist was boxed in for much of the gruelling 3,200 metre handicap but stormed down the final straight to win by four lengths and give Germany its first winner in 154 runnings of the Cup. Protectionist’s success was the third for a European horse in the last five years after Americain (2010) and Dunaden (2011) and will not ease concerns among local trainers about “foreign” raids on Australia’s top silverware. English nine-year-old Red Cadeaux (20-1) was second for the third time in Australia’s most famous race after 2011 and 2013, while New Zealand-trained Who Shot Thebarman (16-1) came in third.