British Stayer Red Cadeaux Euthanized

Three-time Melbourne Cup (Aus-I) runner-up and global fan favorite Red Cadeaux has been euthanized because of complications from the injury he suffered Nov. 3 while making his fifth appearance in the race.

 

The 9-year-old gelding by Cadeaux Genereux—Artisia, by Peintre Celebre, trained by British-based Ed Dunlop, was pulled up nearing the finish in the two-mile race, having sustained a medial sesamoid fracture in his left front fetlock. Following surgery on the limb, his condition stabilized and his connections and veterinarians were optimistic for his recovery and retirement to Living Legends retirement facility near Melbourne. However, irreversible complications arose with the loss of blood flow to the foot on his injured leg.

 

"This is my saddest day in racing," Dunlop said in a statement. "Red Cadeaux was a much-loved member of our family and my thoughts are with his owner Mr. (Ron) Arculli and my staff, particularly Robin Trevor-Jones and Steve Nicholson, who spent every day caring for this horse.

 

"Unfortunately the complication was irreversible and the decision to euthanize the horse, whilst terribly hard, was made in his best interests.

 

"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."

 

From 54 starts in eight nations, Red Cadeaux won seven races, including the 2012 Hong Kong Vase (HK-I), but perhaps was better known for a number of non-winning efforts: runner-up finishes in the Melbourne Cup in 2011 (beaten a nose by Dunaden), 2013, and 2014, and the 2013 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) to Animal Kingdom  , 2012 Coronation Cup (Eng-I), and 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Aus-I). He earned more than $7.8 million in seven seasons of racing and ranks as the highest-earning British-trained racehorse. He was a 55,000 guineas ($117,331) purchase by agent Charles Gordon-Watson at the 2007 Tattersalls October yearling sale.

 

Dr. Brian Stewart, Racing Victoria's head of Equine Welfare and Veterinary Services, said: "The loss of any racehorse is a terribly sad time for the connections given the love and care they are afforded. The loss of a crowd favorite such as Red Cadeaux is felt by all within the industry."

 

At Arculli's request Red Cadeaux will be buried at Flemington, home of the Melbourne Cup.

 

"For a race that stops a nation, we were lucky to have a horse that touched a nation. We will miss Red Cadeaux dearly," Arculli said.