The world has reacted with anger after learning that Anthony Van Dyck had to be euthanised due to a broken fetlock during the race.
The horse’s strapper ran out onto the track to be with him as he was loaded into an ambulance, but Racing Victoria said that he was “humanely euthanised”.
“The horse received immediate veterinary care, however he was unable to be saved due to the nature of the injury sustained,” Stier said.
Anthony Van Dyck is the seventh horse to die on Cup Day since 2013 and many have said that racing is a form of animal cruelty.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) held a protest on Monday, with protestors wearing horse heads and carrying signs saying “you bet they die” and “nup to the cup”.
PETA released a statement condemning racing after the tragedy.
“PETA is calling for an immediate investigation into the death of Anthony Van Dyck, the most recent in a long line of dead horses who are victims of the disgrace that stops the nation — the Melbourne Cup — and for his veterinary records to be released,” the statement read.
“While the industry focuses on the money made from animal suffering, glossing over the bleeding lungs, broken bones, and death, the reality of the abusive racing industry is that horses are made to run to the detriment of their health.
“Before they‘ve even finished maturing, these 500-kilogram animals — supported on ankles as small as those of humans — are pushed past their limits, forced to race at breakneck speeds to the finishing line while being whipped. It’s no surprise that in just the last racing year, 116 horses died on Australian racecourses.
“In 2019, PETA revealed that some 3000 Australian horses and their offspring had been cast off by the racing industry and killed for meat in South Korea. How many more deaths will it take before we call time on this disgraceful demonstration of national senselessness?”
Others have joined in vocalising their disgust, with Victorian MP Andy Meddick from the Animal Justice Party making his feelings known.
Victorian MP Andy Meddick, from the Animal Justice Party, said in a statement: “I am sickened by the death of a young stallion, Anthony Van Dyck, after he ‘broke down’ in the Melbourne Cup this afternoon.
“Melbourne Cup is beginning to feel like Groundhog Day. Almost every year, a horse breaks down and is killed.
“While the scenes today were confronting, nobody should be surprised. A racehorse dies every three days on Australian racetracks. The only difference is on Melbourne Cup Day, the whole country is watching.
“No animal deserves to die or be injured for gambling profits. Racing isn’t the sport of kings — it is a pastime of animal abuse. No amount of industry spin, glitz and glamour or celebrities can hide the truth.
“I only hope that Anthony Van Dyck’s death won’t be in vain and after today, more Australians will realise the brutality of the racing industry.”
