Tragedy as Melbourne Cup horse Anthony Van Dyck dies

The Melbourne Cup has been rocked by Anthony Van Dyck’s death after the horse broke down during the race that stops the nation.

Anthony Van Dyck has been euthanised after breaking down in the Melbourne Cup.

The horse was one of the favourites heading into the race that stops the nation but went lame on the straight, suffering a fractured fetlock.

Jockey Hugh Bowman immediately dismounted and Anthony Van Dyck’s strapper ran out onto the track to be with him as staff erected screens to shield the five-year-old from view.

The horse was loaded into an ambulance before being put down.

Anthony Van Dyck is the second horse in three years to die because of an injury sustained in the Melbourne Cup after Cliffsofmoher was euthanised in 2018. Both horses were trained by the same trainer, Aidan O’Brien.

Racing Victoria’s (RV) Executive General Manager of Integrity Services, Jamie Stier, confirmed Anthony Van Dyck’s death in a statement after the race.

“It is with sadness that we confirm that Anthony Van Dyck had to be humanely euthanised after sustaining a fractured fetlock during the running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington,” Stier said.

“The horse received immediate veterinary care, however he was unable to be saved due to the nature of the injury sustained.

“Our sympathies are extended to the owners of Anthony Van Dyck, trainer Aidan O’Brien and all his staff who cared for the horse and are greatly saddened by their loss.”

Stier explained a report will now be prepared by RV's Integrity Services team.

“The report will include the findings of a post-mortem which will now be conducted by the University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinic and we expect it will be several weeks before we have a completed report for consideration,” he said.

The Victorian Racing Club released a statement offering its condolences to Anthony Van Dyck’s connections.

“We would like to thank the track and veterinary staff for their prompt and humane care of the horse,” the VRC said.

“The club remains totally committed to the welfare of all equine athletes and the ongoing focus on their wellbeing and will continue to work with the industry to understand the cause of this incident.”

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Jockey Hugh Bowman knew right away something was wrong.

Anthony Van Dyck is the seventh horse to die on Melbourne Cup day since 2013 and there has been a huge social media push against this year’s race, with the hashtag #NupToTheCup quickly trending.

Two years ago the Cup was rocked by the death of Cliffsofmoher — who was euthanised in front of the grandstand crowd after the horse broke its shoulder.

That followed these deaths in Melbourne Cup day races:

In 2013, Verema was euthanised after snapping a bone in her leg.

In 2014, Admire Rakti collapsed and died in his stall after a race and Araldo broke a leg and was euthanised.

In 2015, Red Cadeaux broke his left foreleg, was rushed to the vet for surgery and was euthanised some days later.

In 2016, Regal Monarch died after a dramatic mid-race fall.

Anthony Van Dyck pulled up as the pack headed down the home straight.

Twilight Payment won this year’s Melbourne Cup, followed by Tiger Moth (second), Prince Of Arran (third) and The Chosen One (fourth).

Anthony Van Dyck was the favourite for much of Sunday evening and Monday morning before pushing out from $8 to $10 on race day. He was in good form heading into the Melbourne Cup, finishing second in this year’s Caulfield Cup.

Punters flocked to Tiger Moth as the fancied Irish Raider entered the race as the clear favourite, but he couldn’t haul in Twilight Payment at the end.

Twilight Payment was a big mover in the betting market, shortening from $41 to $21 before settling at $26, making those who backed him extremely happy.

Anthony Van Dyck is the second of Aidan O’Brien’s Melbourne Cup horses to be put down in three years.