Melbourne Cup runner-up Heartbreak City has had to be euthanised after breaking a leg during a racecourse gallop at The Curragh.

Owned by a group of Irishmen, Heartbreak City earned his place in last year's Melbourne Cup with victory in the rich Ebor Handicap.

Darren Dance's Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock bought into the seven-year-old after his Ebor win.

Trainer Tony Martin said Heartbreak City was being prepared for another campaign aimed at going one better than his close second to Almandin at Flemington when the accident happened on Saturday.

"It's very sad. He did everyone proud and was more than a horse, he was some character and so genuine," Martin told the Racing Post.

"It is unfortunate as so many people wanted him when he retired because he was such a lovely horse.

"He took us to so many places and the plan this season was to go back out to Melbourne and have another whack.

"He was having a gallop ahead of running on the Flat next week at the Curragh. Unfortunately all good things come to an end."