'Terrible to watch': Mare euthanased after fall with Melbourne Cup winner
Ohope Wins was euthanased following a fall in the Caulfield Cup that also involved Half Yours and jockeys Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil.
Quick Look
- New Zealand mare Ohope Wins was euthanased after suffering fatal injuries in a fall during the Caulfield Cup.
- The incident also brought down 2025 Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours and unseated jockeys Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The incident occurred during the Caulfield Cup 2,400m race when contact in the pack caused a fall near the finish.
New Zealand mare Ohope Wins has been euthanased after a fall in the Caulfield Cup that also included 2025 Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours.
With about 200 metres to go in the 2,400m race, which was won by Gavin Bedggood's Kingswood, Half Yours was in the middle of the pack when there appeared to be contact with Kings Valley.
Half Yours went down hard, sending jockey Mark Zahra into the turf, with Ohope Wins also coming down after Jye McNeil was unable to avoid the fallen McEvoy Racing product.
Racing Victoria Stewards later confirmed Ohope Wins, from Chris Waller Racing, was euthanased by the on-course veterinarian.
"The mare was unable to be saved due to the nature of the injury sustained," a Racing Victoria (RV) statement read.
"RV extends its condolences to Yulong, the owners of Ohope Wins, her trainer Chris Waller and their stable staff who cared for the horse and are deeply saddened by their loss."
Yulong and Waller released a statement, saying "few words can express our current emotions".
"Ohope Wins was a true star of the turf, but to the people who looked after her everyday, she was so much more," the statement read.
"She was brave. She was kind. She was full of character, but more importantly, she was loved."
"Our hearts go out to all involved throughout her career, especially those who cared for her on a daily basis."
Half Yours, the defending Caulfield Cup victor, got up and eventually crossed the finish line without a jockey.
The stewards said Half Yours would undergo a "thorough veterinary examination" after falling in "a racing incident", which would be subject to an inquiry.
Half Yours returned to his stall, while stewards said Zahra and McNeil were both "conscious and alert" and transported to hospital for further assessment.
Trainer Tony McEvoy said after the race that Half Yours had suffered some abrasions but looked OK, all things considered.
"That was terrible to watch," McEvoy said.
"The horse, he's got a couple of lacerations, he seems bright, he seems composed in himself."
"He's got a laceration under his arm, he's got a laceration on a hind leg. They look superficial."
The final race of the day at Caulfield was delayed.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Stewards will conduct an inquiry into the Caulfield Cup fall
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What were the exact medical updates for jockeys Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil?
- What will be the findings of the stewards' inquiry into the racing incident?