The Melbourne Cup is the most famous horse race in Australia, and one of the most important events on the Australian sporting calendar. Every year, millions of people watch the race, and it has become a major cultural event. However, the Melbourne Cup has also been the subject of much controversy, with numerous reports of horses being injured and even dying during the race. In this article, we will look at how many horses have died in the Melbourne Cup in the last 10 years.
History of the Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is a thoroughbred horse race that is run over a distance of 3,200 metres (just over two miles) at the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. The race is held annually on the first Tuesday in November, and is the richest “two-mile” handicap in the world. The first Melbourne Cup was held in 1861, and the race has grown in popularity ever since.
Animal Welfare Concerns
Due to the intense physical demands of the race, the Melbourne Cup has often been the subject of animal welfare concerns. In recent years, animal rights groups have called for an end to the race, arguing that it is cruel and inhumane to subject horses to such physical and mental stress. There have also been numerous reports of horses being injured or killed during the race, leading to further criticism of the event.
How Many Horses Have Died in the Melbourne Cup?
In the decade from 2010 to 2019, there have been a total of four horses that have died in the Melbourne Cup. The most recent death was in 2018, when the horse The Cliffsofmoher had to be euthanised after fracturing its shoulder during the race. In 2014, the horse Admire Rakti died of a heart attack shortly after the race, and in 2010, the horse Verema had to be euthanised after breaking its leg during the race. The fourth horse to die in the Melbourne Cup during the last decade was the horse Red Cadeaux, who was euthanised in 2015 after sustaining a leg injury during the race.
Other Horses Injured in the Melbourne Cup
In addition to the four horses that have died in the last 10 years, there have been numerous other horses that have been injured during the race. In 2016, the horse Araldo had to be euthanised after breaking its leg following the race, while in 2017 the horse Max Dynamite had to be treated for a fractured leg after the race. The horse Regal Monarch had to be euthanised in 2018 after suffering a fractured pelvis during the race, while the horse Avilius had to be treated for a tendon injury in 2019.
Safety Measures
In recent years, the organisers of the Melbourne Cup have implemented a number of safety measures in an effort to reduce the risk of injury to horses. These measures include increasing the size of the track, introducing new starting gates, and making the fences higher and softer. In addition, the organisers have also introduced new rules that require any horse that is found to be lame or injured to be immediately withdrawn from the race.
Criticism of the Melbourne Cup
Despite the introduction of new safety measures, the Melbourne Cup has continued to be the subject of criticism from animal rights activists. In particular, many have argued that the race is too long and too demanding for the horses, and that it should be shortened or abolished altogether. There have also been calls for the race to be held on a synthetic track, which would reduce the risk of injury to horses.
Industry Reactions
The racing industry has responded to the criticism of the Melbourne Cup by stressing the importance of the race to the industry and the economy. According to the Racing Industry Association of Victoria, the Melbourne Cup generates over $300 million in economic activity each year, and supports thousands of jobs. The industry has also highlighted the stringent safety measures that are in place, and the fact that the number of horses injured or killed in the race has been decreasing over the years.
Conclusion
While the Melbourne Cup is an important event on the Australian sporting calendar, it has also been the subject of much controversy due to the number of horses that have been injured or killed in the race. In the last 10 years, there have been a total of four horses that have died in the Melbourne Cup, while numerous other horses have been injured. The organisers of the race have taken steps to improve safety, but there is still much debate about whether or not the race should continue.