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Queensland star Rothfire is out of The Everest and could need a year or more off racing after fracturing his sesamoid bone in Gr.1 Golden Rose. His future in racing will have to be assessed after his lengthy convalescence. The details are unclear but the son of Rothesay may require surgery.
Rothfire was slated to represent the miRunners in the upcoming 2020 The Everest. They will now need to find a new horse.
"He put hoof down awkwardly in the Golden Rose, I would say he would need a year or so off," Heathcote said.
The 3YO gelding placed fourth in the Golden Rose, after leading as a race foavourite. He returned lame to the enclosure without jockey Jim Byrne.
The experienced trainer was quite pragmatic about the situation, "I've been in racing for a long time, injuries happen," said Heathcote.
"But this injury happened to come on the biggest stage in Australian racing and three weeks before The Everest.
"We will get over it."
Heathcote purchased his champion (who has won six of his eight starts), unseen for A$10,000. Later, because of an internet phishing scam, the trainer ended up paying twice for the horse who has already banked A$624,900.
The gelding was bred by Gleeson Thoroughbreds, which is based just outside Chinchilla and run by Wally and Jill Gleeson, in partnership with their sons Simon, Jacob and Tom. Brisbane Racing Club director, Simon Gleeson, said that both Magic Millions and Inglis chose not to include Rothfire in their sales as he was ‘light’ on pedigree.
I believe he is a as good horse as my as Buffering who won the Gr.1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan.
He is an extraordinary horse. He is not only exceedingly fast but coupled with his racing ability is the fact that he is so kind and gentle. Infact his nature is very similar to Buffering.