JAPANESE racehorse Admire Rakti has collapsed and died after pulling up distressed after the 2014 Melbourne Cup.

The horse, who started a well-backed Melbourne Cup favourite but faded to last after leading, dropped dead in his stall shortly after the race.

“I knew he was in trouble when he didn’t tow me into the race around halfway from home so I eased him down straight away, the horse’s welfare comes first,” jockey Zac Purton said.

“It’s very sad. He gave me a great thrill at Caulfield and for this to happen to him is just not fair.

“I didn’t think they’d beat me. I thought he’d win today and the whole way through the first half of the race I thought that too.”

The news of Admire Rakti’s sad death came just minutes before further reports that another 2014 Melbourne Cup runner, Araldo, may be have to be euthanased.

Sadly, news of runner Araldo’s death came several hours later after vets were forced to put the stallion down.

Statement from Racing Victoria Head of Veterinary Services & Equine Welfare Dr Brian Stewart regarding Araldo http://t.co/TeKMrfe5wK — Racing Victoria (@RacingInsider) November 4, 2014

The Mike Moroney-trained stayer fractured a cannon bone (leg bone) jumping a fence after shying at a spectator’s flag.

Araldo was been taken to Werribee Veterinary Hospital for emergency surgery to have plates inserted into his leg in an attempt to save it.

The injury is the same one French horse Verema sustained in the Melbourne Cup last year.

Verema’s injury was so bad it had to be put down within hours of the race so it wouldn’t suffer.

Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey said told Channel 7 that Admire Rakti “unfortunately ... collapsed and died” in his stall.

Admire Rakti passed away after running Melbourne Cup Melbourne Cup Chief Stewart explains the events which lead up to Admire Rakti passing away after running the Melbourne Cup.

The Japanese superstar, who only last month was the toast of Australia after rocketing home to claim the Group 1 Caulfield Cup, was eased out of the Melbourne Cup on the home turn, his jockey Purton allowing him to walk across the line.

Soon after, he began to shake before collapsing in his stall.

Bailey said on its performance, Admire Rakti would have been subject to a veterinarian inspection anyway.

He said the horse’s owners were “very saddened” about the stayer’s death. The horse will be taken to Werribee veterinary hospital for an autopsy to confirm an official cause of death.

“The exact cause of death is yet to be determined, although the circumstances of the horse’s passing are very rare,” said Racing Victoria’s Head of Veterinary and Equine Welfare, Dr Brian Stewart.

“Our sympathies are extended at this time to the owner Mr Kondo, trainer Mr Umeda and his staff who cared deeply for their horse and are naturally saddened by their tragic loss.”

Two sports journalists said the horse may have suffered a heart attack.

Just awful news about the passing of Admire Rakti. Suffered a suspected heart attack in the stalls #MelbourneCup — Tom Chadwick (@TomChadwickFox) November 4, 2014

#BREAKING @ryanphelan_tv reports #MelbCup favourite Admire Rakti suspected of dying of a heart attack pic.twitter.com/mdUiNrFtlA — 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) November 4, 2014

Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) spokesman Ward Young said he was distraught another horse had died, especially given the huge event that is the Melbourne Cup.

While Mr Ward said while he was shocked by the news, he wasn’t surprised given the number of horses which had died on Australian racetracks this year.

“He [Admire Rakti] is one of 125 horses killed in the last 12 moths during or after training or on the track,” Mr Ward said.

“That is a horse every 2.9 days.”

Mr Ward said Admire Rakti’s death followed that of Verema in last year’s Melbourne Cup. The mare snapped a bone in her leg and was euthanased.

“Last year was a real shock, but really it’s not a shock because this happens every 2.9 days on average.

“We think the real issue is over exertion and use of the whip.”

Mr Ward said it was time the industry honoured horses’ memory with a minute’s silence, rather than simply covering the scene with a green screen.

The RSPCA issued a statement calling for a full and transparent investigation into both incidents.

“Events like these are a stark reminder to the community of the real risks to horses associated with racing,” the statement read.

“Sadly, injury and death are the price some horses pay for our entertainment in a sport that puts intense pressure on animals to perform to the limits of their endurance.”