Triple Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux has been put down after suffering an injury in the race.
Gerald Mossie on Red Cadeaux after finishing second at the 2013 Melbourne Cup Photo: Photosport
His British trainer Ed Dunlop said: "This is my saddest day in racing. Red Cadeaux was a much-loved member of our family."
The fabled British stayer was euthanised after he injured his leg in the Melbourne Cup on 3 November, but it had been hoped the 10-year-old gelding would recover, until complications set in.
Last year's Melbourne Cup victory by the German-trained stayer Protectionist was overshadowed by the post-race deaths of two horses, Admire Rakti and the seventh-placegetter Araldo.
Red Cadeaux won seven and finished second in 13 of his 54 races.
Owner Ron Arculli said the popular nine-year-old gelding's final resting place would be at Flemington Racecourse where he was second in the Melbourne Cup a record three times.
"For a race that stops a nation we were lucky to have a horse that touched a nation. We will miss Red Cadeaux dearly," he said.
'An incredibly tough competitor'
Trainer Dunlop added: "Red Cadeaux has given us and the racing public so much joy competing with great distinction across the world. He was an incredibly tough competitor with a wonderful nature and he will be dearly missed by all.
"I want to thank all the vets in Australia, particularly at the University of Melbourne Equine Clinic, that have worked tirelessly on the horse since the race and given him the very best of care."
Red Cadeaux was euthanised after blood stopped flowing to the foot on his injured left foreleg.
"Unfortunately the complication was irreversible and the decision to euthanise the horse, whilst terribly hard, was made in his best interests," said Dunlop.
Ridden by Gerald Mosse, the horse was pulled up injured in the race won by Prince of Penzance, whose jockey Michelle Payne was the first female rider to triumph in the race.
"Red Cadeaux has given us and the racing public so much joy competing with great distinction across the world," said Newmarket trainer Dunlop.
Significant achievements
- Red Cadeaux was runner-up in the Melbourne Cup in 2011, 2013 and 2014. He was only beaten a nose by Dunaden in 2011
- Second in the Dubai World Cup, won by Animal Kingdom
- Won the Group One Hong Kong Vase in 2012
- Won the Yorkshire Cup earlier that year and was second in the Coronation Cup at Epsom to St Nicholas Abbey
- BBC