In the stables (click here) soon after the running of the Melbourne Cup, sheets enveloped Admire Rakti's stall after the favourite had tragically and sensationally died.
Only two stalls down, connections of Protectionist were surrounding their horse and basking in the glory of winning the $6.2 million race.
For more than a century and a half, the Melbourne Cup story has captivated the nation.
As it stands, the story for this installment is about the iron horse which came second and the Japanese favourite which collapsed and died in his race-day stall after the event....
The Melbourne Cup is Australia's longest and most rewarded Thoroughbred horse race. It is stated to be the longest horse race in the world and for some the most coveted. Today, there are two contenders dead, one by an accident in a broken leg and the other from sheer exhaustion.
November 4, 2014
By Patricia Bartley, Adam Pengilly and Ronny Lerner
The Melbourne Cup is Australia's longest and most rewarded Thoroughbred horse race. It is stated to be the longest horse race in the world and for some the most coveted. Today, there are two contenders dead, one by an accident in a broken leg and the other from sheer exhaustion.
November 4, 2014
By Patricia Bartley, Adam Pengilly and Ronny Lerner
Smart stayer Araldo (click here for video of the collapse of Rakti) was returning to the mounting yard when a young boy waved a white flag in the horse's face. He leapt forward, jumping the steel rail, shattering a hind pastern bone in the process.
Araldo's trainer Mike Moroney said veterinary surgeons tried desperately to save his horse's life. About 8pm, it was reported that Araldo had died.
Araldo's trainer, MIke Moroney, described the death as a tragic accident....
Why is this notable? The Melbourne Cup has high standards for participation and has a unique 'weight' system to attempt to make the race a level playing field. This is some of the best race horses in Australia. This horse's collapse, by prescription of the race authority in qualifying, should never have happened. I have to wonder what the temperature of the air was as well.
It is possible for race horses to have a heart attack. Admire Ratki was considered a favorite to win. There is something very wrong here.
The Melbourne Cup authorities need to also put barriers between onlookers and the horses for the safety of both.
I hesitate to say anything about the possibility of Rakti being drugged as this is a high level race with plenty of monitoring. The horse really needs to be evaluated. The USA has had their share of problems with Thoroughbred horses and has in recent years taken action against any enhanced performance by using lasix and but. If Rakti was injected or fed any enhancements to performance it is time for Australia to review their requirements for racing in that country.
Why is this notable? The Melbourne Cup has high standards for participation and has a unique 'weight' system to attempt to make the race a level playing field. This is some of the best race horses in Australia. This horse's collapse, by prescription of the race authority in qualifying, should never have happened. I have to wonder what the temperature of the air was as well.
It is possible for race horses to have a heart attack. Admire Ratki was considered a favorite to win. There is something very wrong here.
The Melbourne Cup authorities need to also put barriers between onlookers and the horses for the safety of both.
I hesitate to say anything about the possibility of Rakti being drugged as this is a high level race with plenty of monitoring. The horse really needs to be evaluated. The USA has had their share of problems with Thoroughbred horses and has in recent years taken action against any enhanced performance by using lasix and but. If Rakti was injected or fed any enhancements to performance it is time for Australia to review their requirements for racing in that country.
