Cliffs Of Moher Melbourne Cup fatality 'a freak accident'

Racing Victoria’s review of the fatal injury sustained by Cliffs Of Moher during the running of last year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup has determined that it was a freak accident that could not have been predicted nor prevented.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained runner, who raced under the name The Cliffsofmoher while in action in Australia, sustained the shoulder injury passing the winning post on the first occasion, approximately 800m into the famous race, and was subsequently humanely euthanised by RV veterinarians on the track.

Jamie Stier, RV’s executive general manager of integrity services, said there was no evidence to suggest Cliffs Of Moher was carrying a pre-existing injury into the race.

“A thorough review has been undertaken in association with the University of Melbourne and Racing Analytical Services Limited of the circumstances that ultimately led to the injury, and subsequent humane euthanasia, of Cliffs Of Moher on Melbourne Cup Day,” said Stier.

“That review ultimately found that Cliffs Of Moher sustained a fracture to the right shoulder and that, on all the available information, no party could have predicted the injury was going to occur prior to the race.

“The information gathered and examined did not show any evidence of any pre-existing injury or condition which would have indicated Cliffs Of Moher was likely to sustain such an injury and there is no evidence that the Flemington track contributed to the fall.

“With the physiology of horses being as it is, when any horse sustains an injury of the nature of that sustained by Cliffs Of Moher, humane euthanasia of the horse is not only the kindest outcome but also the appropriate action to take as it is not possible for such an injury to mend in horses.

“In the end, this was an injury that occurs rarely in racing with the rate of fatal incidents in Victorian racing 0.05 per cent of all starters.”

Stier also revealed that a separate review was under way to further address the prevalence of equine injuries at the Werribee International Horse Centre during the 2018 Spring Racing carnival.

Hamada: euthanised after a trackwork accidentCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The Godolphin-owned Hamada was euthanised after a trackwork accident while Red Verdon and Duretto also sustained campaign-ending injuries.

“Visiting international horses are already subjected to enhanced veterinary scrutiny in their home country before travelling to Australia, and also throughout their time at the Werribee International Horse Centre," he said.

“That said, the increased incidence of racing and training injuries among the international horses during the spring requires further examination and we have commissioned a review to determine whether there are any identifiable risks that we can address in the future.

“That review will consider the medical records, training records and racing history of the international horses that sustained an injury, the facilities at Werribee and independent expert advice. We expect it to be completed by the end of March 2019 for consideration by the RV Board.”

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