The Melbourne Cup has again been marred by the death of a horse, this time the Irish-trained The Cliffsofmoher.
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The Aidan O'Brien-trained horse suffered a fractured shoulder during Tuesday's race and had to be euthanised, Racing Victoria's executive general manager – integrity services, Jamie Stier, said.
"The horse received immediate veterinary care, however it was unable to be saved due to the nature of the injury sustained," he said.
It is the fourth time in the past six years that the Cup has been marred by tragedy.
In 2014, pre-race favourite Admire Ratki died after collapsing from heart failure in the stalls minutes after the race.
In the same 2014 race, seventh-placed import Araldo had to be euthanised after he was spooked by a flag in the crowd on the way back to weigh in, kicked out and broke a rear leg on a fence.
“Our sympathies are extended to Coolmore and the Williams family, the owners of The Cliffsofmoher, jockey Ryan Moore, trainer Aidan O'Brien and his staff who cared for the horse and are greatly saddened by their loss,” Stier said.
- AAP