A horse that ran at Flemington Racecourse today as a part of the Melbourne Cup festivities has been humanly euthanised after breaking down during its race.
Regal Monarch was running in Race 4 in Melbourne today when it suffered a horror fall, throwing jockey Joao Moreira to the ground.
Shocking fall today of Regal Monarch at #MelbourneCup. Hope the horse is ok but we know that #horseracingkills every 2.6 days / 137 horses pic.twitter.com/4C2eO4rQHY
— Horse Racing Kills (@hrseracingkills) November 7, 2017
Moreira was ruled out of racing in the Melbourne Cup (Race 7) whilst Regal Monarch was attended to by equine ambulance staff before being taken to the University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinic in Werribee for medical attention.
The news came through tonight however that the horses injuries were too severe and that it was humanely euthanised.
Racing Victoria head vet Dr Grace Forbes has said in a statement:
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. This decision was made in the best interests of the horse.
Incidents such as this happen infrequently, with Victoria having one of the best safety records in world racing.
I’m heartbroken. RIP Regal Monarch. pic.twitter.com/7iwMuvfh2X
— Kate🦋M© (@Kate3015) November 7, 2017
The death of Regal Monarch will no doubt fuel the ongoing controversy surrounding Melbourne Cup day, which is often a heightened day of activism by anti-racing protesters and animal rights activists.
RIP Regal Monarch.