Gerard Whateley says the cost of running the Melbourne Cup each year can’t be the dead horses.
Five horses have passed away as a result of the Melbourne Cup in the past six years, with The Cliffsofmoher needing to be euthanised after suffering a fractured right shoulder during the race yesterday.
SEN’s Whateley with Gerard Whateley can be heard Monday-Thursday 9-12am, and you can subscribe to the podcast here
“The cost of running the Melbourne Cup each year can’t be a dead horse,” Whateley said on SEN.
“There are problems with yesterday. There are real issues out of yesterday’s Melbourne Cup. It drains the enjoyment out of it immediately for me, even during the race. I don’t have any easy answers, I can’t be anymore honest than that. There are no easy answers.
“The most profoundly upsetting moment I’ve had at a sporting event was when Red Cadeaux broke down and I found it very hard to be on air during that period.
“Yesterday when that happened during the race, it has an immediate impact and I won’t be alone there.
“This is not easily addressed at any level and trying to have the discussion or debate tends to be difficult between the defenders and the attackers.
“The place of the Melbourne Cup in our society is to bring us all together, to celebrate around a national horse race and it’s a gift that has been passed through the generations.
“That there have now being five deaths in the Melbourne Cup in six years is profoundly upsetting and should be a deep source of concern for the custodians of the race.”