European import Protectionist wins Melbourne Cup

Protectionist, a 7-1 shot ridden by Ryan Moore, won Tuesday’s $5,241,600 Melbourne Cup in Australia, part of a winning exacta of European shippers in the field of 22.

Trained in Germany by Andreas Wolher, Protectionist closed from the back of the field to win by four lengths over the 8-year-old Red Cadeaux, trained in England by Ed Dunlop. Who Shot thebarman, a 20-1 shot, finished third.

Red Cadeaux has run in the last four Melbourne Cups, also finishing second in 2011 and 2013.

The race was marred by the deaths of Araldo, who finished seventh, and Admire Rakti, the 9-2 favorite who was eased in the stretch and collapsed and died after the finish of the two-mile race. Australian officials announced that Admire Rakti had possibly died of a heart attack.

Araldo suffered a leg injury when he kicked a steel rail after a racegoer waved a flag in his face when being led to the stables, according to published reports.

Protectionist won two Group 2 races in Europe during the summer, including the Prix Kergorlay over 1 7/8 miles on turf at Deauville, France, in August. In his first start in Australia, Protectionist finished fourth in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes over 1 1/2 miles at Caulfield Racecourse.