Melbourne Cup runner Red Cadeaux euthanised
Racing Victoria has just released the statement that Red Cadeaux, who was injured while running The Melbourne Cup, has been euthanised due to complications resulting from his injury. A tragic twist to a race that has now seen three horses die in two years.
Both the favourite Admire Rakti and Araldo died last year with Admire Rakti suffering a heart attack and Araldo suffering from a leg injury when spooked in the crowds.
Red Cadeaux will be laid to rest at Flemington Racecourse at the request of his owner.
Do you feel strongly about the number of deaths in horse racing, and more particularly The Melbourne Cup in recent years?
The statement from Racing Victoria states:
“It is with great sadness that Racing Victoria (RV) advises that Red Cadeaux has today succumbed to complications from the injury he sustained in the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington on 3 November 2015.
The connections of the English stayer have made the heartbreaking decision to humanely euthanise the horse after irreversible complications arose with the loss of blood flow to the foot on his injured left foreleg.
Experts at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre at Werribee, where the horse has been under veterinary care since the race, advised that there were no means by which they could successfully address the complication.
Trainer Ed Dunlop said; “This is my saddest day in racing. Red Cadeaux was a much loved member of our family and my thoughts are with his owner Mr Arculli and my staff, particularly Robin Trevor-Jones and Steve Nicholson, who spent every day caring for this horse.
“Unfortunately the complication was irreversible and the decision to euthanise the horse, whilst terribly hard, was made in his best interests.
“Red Cadeaux has given us and the racing public so much joy competing with great distinction across the world. He was an incredibly tough competitor with a wonderful nature and he will be dearly missed by all.
“I want to thank all the vets in Australia, particularly at the University of Melbourne Equine Clinic, that have worked tirelessly on the horse since the race and given him the very best of care.
“On behalf of Mr Arculli and my staff, I also want to thank the Australian public and his racing fans from around the world for their wonderful support and well wishes during what has been an incredibly tough time for us all.”
Owner Ronnie Arculli said; “For a race that stops a nation we were lucky to have a horse that touched a nation. We will miss Red Cadeaux dearly.”
RV Head of Equine Welfare and Veterinary Services, Dr Brian Stewart, said; “The loss of any racehorse is a terribly sad time for the connections given the love and care they are afforded. The loss of a crowd favourite such as Red Cadeaux is felt by all within the industry.
“Our thoughts go out at this time to Red Cadeaux’s owner Ronnie Arculli, trainer Ed Dunlop and his staff led by Robin Trevor-Jones and Stephen Nicholson, along with his jockey Gerald Mosse, who all loved this horse dearly and will be shattered by his passing.”
“I would also like to pay tribute to Dr Chris Whitton and the team at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre who have done everything in their power to save the horse and have given him the very best of care since he sustained his injury.”
At the wishes of Mr Arculli, Red Cadeaux’s final resting place will be at Flemington Racecourse.”
images: Instagram
Explore More
Book Confidently With Us
Pay safely with us
Proudly Australian owned and operated