Melbourne Cup 2019: Horse injured during race that stops the nation

Rostropovich, the horse that finished last in this year's Melbourne Cup, has been taken to an equine clinic after sustaining a suspected cracked pelvis. Photo / Getty Images

Rostropovich, the horse that finished last in this year's Melbourne Cup, has been taken to an equine clinic after sustaining a suspected cracked pelvis.

Rostropovich's jockey Dwayne Dunn stopped pushing the five-year-old during the race when he realised something wasn't right.

"He hasn't pulled up too well. He's obviously sustained an injury somewhere in the run," Dunn said.

Rostropovich, the horse that finished last in this year's Melbourne Cup, has been taken to an equine clinic after sustaining a suspected cracked pelvis. Photo / Getty Images

One of Rostropovich's trainers, David Hayes, added: "He couldn't weight bear. But I think with a lot of painkillers he's relieved. It's a sad story anyway."

Racing Victoria issued a statement on Rostropovich's condition and said vets found the horse to be lame after the race.

"Racing Victoria (RV) stewards advise that the Hayes, Hayes and Dabernig-trained Rostropovich was inspected by RV veterinarians following the running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse today and was found to be lame," the statement read.

"After receiving veterinary care on the course, the horse has been transported to the University of Melbourne Equine Centre for further assessment."

The Animal Justice Party of NSW said in a tweet it heard Rostropovich had been "badly injured" while the RSPCA also reacted to the news.

We've been updated that Rostropovich has been badly injured and been rushed to Werribee possibly with a broken pelvis.
These are the kinds of horrific injuries horses sustain from being forced to run in the cruel #MelbourneCup.
Hoping he can be saved.

— Animal Justice Party NSW (@AJPNSW) November 5, 2019

To our supporters and followers, we're also hearing reports that Rostropovich suffered a serious pelvis injury before pulling up in the #MelbourneCup2019. Very sorry to hear this news, we hope for the best and are keenly awaiting news of his condition. #horseracing

— RSPCA Australia (@RSPCA) November 5, 2019

Hearing reports that Rostropovich has been badly injured in the Melbourne Cup. I really hope he is okay. When animals and gambling mix, animals always suffer #NupToTheCup #MelbourneCup2019

— Mehreen Faruqi (@MehreenFaruqi) November 5, 2019

The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses says it has concerns about the health of Rostropovich, which finished last in the #MelbourneCup2019

— Andrew Lund (@andrew_lund) November 5, 2019

There have been several deaths in the past five years of the glamour race.

In 2014, Admire Rakti, who collapsed and died in his stall after the race, and Araldo, who broke his leg and was euthanised, were casualties.

The following year fan favourite Red Cadeaux shattered a leg and was put down on the track.

In 2017, Regal Monarch died after a sickening fall in another race at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day, before The Cliffsofmoher's fall early in last year's race.

Trainer and commentator Richard Freedman this week pointed to the foreign takeover of the event as a possible cause of the spike.

"Of the last six horses that have come to a catastrophic injury in a Melbourne Cup, all six of them were imported horses," Freedman said on Nine's Sports Sunday. "The last Australian horse to die as a result of the Melbourne Cup was in 1979."

Racing Victoria assesses each international horse and scratched last year's runner-up Marmelo and British horse Ispolini from this year's race after inspections by its veterinarians.

RECENT MELBOURNE CUP DEATHS

2013: Verema (France)

2014: Admire Rakti (Japan), Araldo (Great Britain)

2015: Red Cadeaux (Great Britain)

2017: Regal Monarch (Great Britain)

2018: The Cliffsofmoher (Ireland)