Horse deaths overshadow 2014 Melbourne Cup

The 2014 Melbourne Cup has been overshadowed by the deaths of two competing horses.

Araldo (l) ridden by Dwayne Dunn was put down after suffering an injury returning to the stalls.

The 2014 Melbourne Cup has been overshadowed by the death of favourite Admire Rakti.

The Japanese stallion collapsed and died after trailing in more than 200 metres behind German winner Protectionist.

Admire rakti was trying to match a modern weight carrying record of 58.5kg in one of the fastest Melbourne Cups ever run.

The death of seventh-placed Araldo shortly after the race takes the number of runners to die at the Melbourne Cup to three in just two years.

Coalition for the Protection of Race Horses spokeman Ward Young told Abby Dinham it's evident something needs to be changed.

(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full interview)