Irish horse The Cliffsofmoher has died after being injured early in the Melbourne Cup.

The stallion was euthanised after injuring his right shoulder during the first 600 metres at Flemington Racecourse, where English thoroughbred Cross Counter triumphed.

The death of the five-year-old Irish racehorse, ridden by jockey Ryan Moore, tarnished the 157th Melbourne Cup on Tuesday afternoon.

The horse was agitated before the start, with one commentator describing him as 'melting like an ice cream'.

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An Irish horse (The Cliffsofmoher pictured on Tuesday) has died after being injured during a fall early in the Melbourne Cup race

The Cliffsofmoher was shot after injuring his right shoulder during the race, which was won by Engish thoroughbred Cross Counter

The horse (pictured being examined on Tuesday) was reportedly agitated before the barrier gates opened, with one commentator describing him as 'melting like an ice cream'

Cliffsofmoher is the sixth and latest casualty in a string of horses to meet their demise at the prestigious race event.

Two horses died and collapsed during the 2014 Cup, while the following year Red Cadeaux had to be put down after shattering a leg.

The deaths have only added to animals rights activists and their concerns for the welfare of the animals.

RSPCA Australia spokeswoman Jane Speechley said the death highlighted racing industry cruelty.

'Our thoughts are with animal lovers across the country who have been affected by this loss, and confronted by the very real risks posed by racing to the horses involved,' she said.

'RSPCA Australia has long voiced its concerns about the welfare of racehorses, including the use of inhumane devices such as whips and tongue ties, as well as the risk to injury and death during races.'

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) told Daily Mail Australia The Cliffsofmoher's death was 'the latest in a long line of dead horses'.

'Cliffsofmoher was spotted looking very agitated moments before the start and has now been killed after fracturing his right shoulder in the Melbourne Cup,' a spokesman said.

'Before they've even finished maturing, these 500-kilogram animals are forced to race at breakneck speeds while being whipped and pushed past their limits, supported on ankles as small as those of humans.'

The death will fuel claims, from animal rights activists, the race that stops the nation is cruel, after two horses collapsed and died during the 2014 Cup while the following year Red Cadeaux had to be put down after shattering a leg

The Cliffsofmoher was pulled up by his jockey just 600 metres into the race as he passed the winning post for the first time in the race.

Veterinarians were seen rushing on to the track just moments after the stallion, owned by high-profile businessman Lloyd Williams, was injured shortly after the start of the 3pm race.

The tragedy occurred two years after the stallion made his racing debut in Ireland.

Trainer Adrian O'Brien told the Herald Sun things did not 'look good' for the horse after the race.

Son Joseph said it was a 'shocking thing but unfortunately things can happen to a horse galloping around the field at home. It’s very sad'

'It could have been worse, Ryan (Moore) could have taken a fall off him [Cliffsofmoher], someone could have been seriously injured.'

The Cliffsofmoher jockey Ryan Moore walks away in despair after his hose Cliffsofmoher was injured at the Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday

The Cliffsofmoher (pictured in October 2018 at Werribee racecourse in Melbourne) was shot after injuring his right shoulder, a year after making its impressive Australian debut

Racing Victoria issued a statement confirming the equine tragedy.

'It is with sadness that we confirm that The Cliffsofmoher had to be humanely euthanised after sustaining a fractured right shoulder during the running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington,' the body's executive general manager of integrity services Jamie Stier said.

'The horse received immediate veterinary care, however it was unable to be saved due to the nature of the injury sustained.

'This was an unfortunate incident that happens infrequently, with Victoria having one of the best safety records in world racing.'

The Cliffofmoher was given odds of $19 to win the Melbourne Cup after coming fourth his Australian debut in the Caulfield Stakes in Melbourne last year.

The horse, which was based at County Tipperary in Ireland, had won more than $1.7million in prize money.

Racing.com's editor-in-chief Shane Anderson confirmed the development on Twitter

Kyle Sandilands' girlfriend Imogen Anthony also took to Instagram to blame the race day at Flemington for the death of the horse.

'It shows how much we have no regard for life in general. Another living thing’s LIFE. Not even to eat, not even to survive, purely just to run for your viewing pleasure and win back a fifty buck bet...'

'The Melbourne Cup is not fun - it’s disgusting ~ it shows that our country is only 200 years old and we are fresh off the barbarian boat... [sic].'