Ed Dunlop heartbroken by Red Cadeaux loss

Ed Dunlop said the death of Red Cadeaux was his "saddest day in racing".

The globetrotting nine-year-old had to be put down due to "irreversible" complications following surgery on a leg injury sustained during the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.

"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 (Ronnie) 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.

"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.

"On behalf of Mr Arculli and my staff, I also want to thank the Australian public and his racing fans around the world for their wonderful support and well wishes during what has been an incredibly tough time for us all."

Running in the Melbourne Cup for a fifth time, having finished second in it three times, the nine-year-old was pulled up by Gerald Mosse in the closing stages after fracturing the medial sesamoid in his left-fore fetlock.

His racing career was over, but it had been hoped he would recover from the emergency surgery.

Red Cadeaux's final resting place will be at Flemington Racecourse.

Arculli said: "For a race that stops a nation we were lucky to have a horse that touched a nation.

"We will miss Red Cadeaux dearly."

Red Cadeaux earned just under £5million in prize-money, winning seven races - including the 2012 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin.

Very few horses have endeared themselves to the Australian public like Red Cadeaux, ensuring the impact is only further and more acutely felt and Australia was fortunate to feature on his itinerary. He just loved Australia and Australia certainly loved him.

Racing Victoria Head of Equine Welfare and Veterinary Services Dr Brian Stewart told www.racing.com: "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 favourite such as Red Cadeaux is felt by all within the industry.

"Our thoughts go out at this time to Red Cadeaux's owner Ronnie Arculli, trainer Ed Dunlop and his staff led by Robin Trevor-Jones and Stephen Nicholson, along with his jockey Gerald Mosse, who all loved this horse dearly and will be shattered by his passing.

"I would also like to pay tribute to Dr Chris Whitton and the team at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre who have done everything in their power to save the horse and have given him the very best of care since he sustained his injury."

Red Cadeaux endeared himself to Australian racing fans with second placings in the Melbourne Cup in 2011, '13 and '14, having come within a whisker of claiming the prize four years ago when nosed out by Dunaden.

Victoria Racing Club chief executive Simon Love also praised the popular stayer.

"The VRC is extremely saddened by the passing of Red Cadeaux following irreversible complications from surgery on his injured leg," Love said.

"First and foremost, our thoughts are with all those who loved Red, especially his trainer Ed Dunlop, constant travelling companions, Robin Trevor-Jones and Steve Nicholson, and owner Ronnie Arculli.

"The loss of a horse is always particularly sad. Very few horses have endeared themselves to the Australian public like Red Cadeaux, ensuring the impact is only further and more acutely felt.

"Red was one of the world's most-travelled horses, and Australia was fortunate to feature on his itinerary on six occasions.

"He was the first international horse to contest five Emirates Melbourne Cups, a race he seemed to reserve his best performances for with three second placings. He just loved Australia and Australia certainly loved him."