The pre-race favourite and winner of the Caufield Cup Admire Rakti has collapsed and died following the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.
The Japanese stayer and top weight came in last in the race won by horse "Protectionist".
Jockey Zac Purton pulled up Admire Rakti at the line.
And pictures show the stallion distressed.
According to Melbourne's 3AW green tarps were erected outside the stallion's stable where he had died.
The green tarps are up at Admire Rakti's stall. @TomElliott3AW @3AW693
UPDATE 1730 AEST: The RSPCA has called for an investigation into the stallion's death.
Statement on Melbourne Cup from @RSPCA
Racing Victoria released a Veterinary Report into the incident calling the circumstances surrounding Admire Rakti's death "very rare".
"The exact cause of death is yet to be determined, although the circumstances of the horse's passing are very rare. A post mortem will be conducted at the University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital as is standard practice," said 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."
Tributes for the horse (and shock at the second horse to die in as many years), started to be posted to social media.
Feeling awful for admire ratki.. Such a wonderful talented horse, hope he's ok!
Wow so they actually beat a horse to death. Great stuff, Australia...
Admire Ratki #Slaughtered
Feeling awful for admire ratki.. Such a wonderful talented horse, hope he's ok!
Oh did we race another horse to death this year?
The Chief Steward at Melbourne Cup has confirmed that today's favourite, Admire Rakti, has collapsed & died in his stall after running last
party on … that’s how the dead horse would have wanted it.
IT DIED WTF
Well at least we know we don't treat the horses better than asylum seekers
RIP Admire Rakti.
It emerged UK stallion Araldo had broken his leg in the wake of the race.
More bad news out of the #MelbourneCup. Araldo has seriously injured a hind leg after kicking a fence after the race.
Racing expert Richard Freeman reported Araldo was taken to the vet surgeons where plates would be inserted in his broken leg.
Araldo has possibly fractured its hind leg. Off to vet clinic for surgery.
It's the same injury that led to horse Verema being euthanized in the wake of last year's Melbourne Cup.
UPDATE 8:53pm AEST — It was later confirmed that Araldo's injuries had led to him being euthanized.
It's so sad to hear that Araldo has been euthanized. The injury was too severe. It was a freak accident that claimed him.
A spokesman for race organizers said the horse had been spooked by a flag being waved by a crowd member while on its way to the mounting yard after the race, the BBC reported.
The sight of the flag caused the horse - which was ridden by jockey Dwayne Dunn - to kick out, and fracture its back leg on a nearby fence.
In the 35 years leading up to the 2014 race, three Melbourne Cup horses had suffered fatal injuries, according to the BBC.
It is with sadness that we confirm that Araldo has had to be humanely euthanised as a result of the injury it suffered in a freak accident following the Emirates Melbourne Cup.The horse received immediate veterinary care and was transported to the University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital, however, sadly the fracture in its pastern was not repairable.The owners made the decision to humanely euthanise Araldo in the best interests of the horse.