CRITICISM of horse racing following the deaths of Admire Rakti and Araldo after the Melbourne Cup is disappointing, according to Griffith horse trainer Gino D'Altorio.
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"It's wrong, accidents can happen in any sport," Griffith horse trainer Gino D'Altorio said.
Mr D'Altorio said he was devastated when a horse he was training had to be put down after a race about 10 years ago.
But he doesn't think horse racing is cruel.
"Horse racing has been going for over 100 years.
"Accidents happen. About 10 years ago I had a horse which had to be put down after a race because she snapped her leg.
"I was crying and I was really upset, but it was an accident.
"It's nobody's fault."
Mr D'Altorio said he believed horses relished the challenge of racing.
"They go there like it's a job," he said.
Admire Ratki appears to have died from acute heart failure, according to veterinary officials.
Araldo, a $500,000 purchase from Germany, finished a creditable seventh in the Cup.
But as he made his way back to the enclosure down the 150-metre long winners' track, he was apparently spooked by a woman waving an Australian flag.
He kicked a steel running rail and fractured a cannon bone as he thrashed out in fright.
Araldo was euthanised some six hours after the race.
The Victoria Racing Club banned flags in horse areas for the remainder of the carnival.
