The Melbourne Cup has again been marred by the death of a horse, this time the Irish-trained The Cliffsofmoher.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained horse suffered a fractured shoulder during Tuesday's race and had to be euthanised, Racing Victoria's executive general manager of integrity services, Jamie Stier, said in a statement.
"Thehorse received immediate veterinary care, however it was unable to be saved due to the nature of the injury sustained," he said.
Jockey Ryan Moore on The CliffsofMoher is assisted by a race steward after the horse was injured. Photo / AAP
Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has called for an investigation into the death, which it described as "the most recent victim of the cruel annual spectacle".
World Animal Protection also condemned the incident, labelling the Melbourne Cup a "disgrace".
"The Melbourne Cup is the disgrace that stops a nation. It's heartbreaking to see another horse needlessly lose its life during the Melbourne Cup," senior campaign manager Ben Pearson said in a statement.
"World Animal Protection opposes the use of all animals in entertainment, including the use of horses in the racing industry. It's time to end the cruelty."
Social media was flooded with angry messages from people condemning the racing industry in response to what veteran commentator Bruce McAvaney described as a "tragedy".
Beat your dog in the street and you'll be, quite rightly, arrested. Beat a horse to death around a racetrack and you're part of the Australian cultural identity. It's a travesty. #MelbourneCup2018
Do we really need to watch animals be slaughtered for our own entertainment? Maybe it’s time horse racing went the way of Spanish bullfighting. RIP Cliffsofmoher 😢 #NuptotheCup
Another horses dies in the Melbourne Cup.. Poor thing broke its leg.. So they killed it on the race track.. Enjoy that imagine while you sip on your champagne... #NupToTheCup
