Red Cadeaux's death is certain to reignite the debate surrounding how racehorses are treated, but veteran racing commentator Richie Callander says a lot of that sort of conversation is misinformed.

The issue was a major talking point in the wake of last year's Melbourne Cup after pre-race favourite Admire Rakti colapsed and died in his stall and Araldo broke his leg and had to be euthanised.

Immediately after the news broke that Red Cadeaux had died due to complications from his broken foreleg, the reaction, particularly on social media, was a mix of condolences and outrage.

But Callander said horses like Red Cadeaux are treated like family by their connections and humane euthanasia was in the best interests of the horse.

"A lot of people who do the criticising are unfortunately uneducated in that arena and don't understand the treatment that horses get," he told Weekend Breakfast.

"They should be doing a lot more research themselves and find out what horses go through that are treated poorly, that are out in the wild roaming free.

"These horses are treated like part of so many families. I can guarantee you that that the treatment that Red Cadeaux got since the Melbourne Cup has been nothing but first-grade."

Regardless, the loss will be felt particularly hard by the Australian public that had embraced him as one of their own.

Callander acknowledged the horse was an Australian favourite and said it would have cost almost $50,000 to keep him alive to this point.

"If he survived, he was going to be not comfortable. They had to do the right thing," Callander said.

"It goes to show one thing about the love of the animal. Money should never come into it and it never came into it. It would have cost the owner close to $50,000 since the Melbourne Cup to try and keep Red Cadeaux alive but unfortunately it just got too far."

"It becomes an attachment ... but horses are beautiful creatures and they need everything right," he added.

"It's an unfortunate situation with Red Cadeaux, but you've got to remember the good times. He's been great horse and will be remembered in the Melbourne Cup history for a long time."