Melbourne Cup 2020: Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck euthanised after leg injury

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Anthony Van Dyck had finished second in the Caulfield Cup last month

Anthony Van Dyck, winner of last year's Derby at Epsom, has been euthanised after suffering a broken leg in the Melbourne Cup.

The top weight, trained in the Republic of Ireland by Aidan O'Brien, was pulled up at Flemington by jockey Hugh Bowman.

"The horse received immediate veterinary care. He was unable to be saved due to the nature of the injury sustained," said Racing Victoria's Jamie Stier.

The race was won by Twilight Payment.

Twilight Payment was a second winner in the race for trainer Joseph O'Brien, the 27-year-old son of Aidan.

Anthony Van Dyck's stablemate Tiger Moth finished second, with British challenger Prince Of Arran in third.

Stier said it was the fourth equine fatality following the Melbourne Cup in the past eight runnings of the race.

The Cliffsofmoher, also trained by Aidan O'Brien, died in 2018, while Red Cadeaux (2015) and Verama (2013) also suffered limb injuries.

Opponents have criticised the safety record in the race, which offers prize money of more than 拢2.3m to the winner.

"Racing presents numerous risks for horses and this very unfortunate incident illustrates the need for the industry to work toward better welfare for animals used in sport," said RSPCA Victoria chief executive Dr Liz Walker.

Stier said a report would be prepared to look at the circumstances of the incident, in which Anthony Van Dyck fractured a fetlock, and "any potential learnings to assist in the prevention of similar injuries in the future".