Queensland’s premiership-winning trainer Robert Heathcote has a very smart gelding on his hands.
Rothfire has stepped out at the races on four occasions for four very impressive victories at a combined winning distance of more than 15 lengths.
But the way the son of Rothesay came into the control of Heathcote is quite the fascinating fable.
Heathcote had never laid eyes on the horse and was then duped when he sent the money, as it ended up in the pockets of a Nigerian phishing scam.
But not to worry as the former Contiki tour guide has already been compensated, and handsomely, thanks to his blind faith and Rothfire's special ability.
“With this horse, I paid $10,000, I bought him over the phone,” Heathcote said on SEN Breakfast.
“I sent them my money via BSB bank transaction. I got scammed, the money ended up in Nigeria or something.
“They intercepted the email, but they changed the bank details and I made the transaction and ended up paying $20,000 for the horse.
“But he’s won $300,000 now and I just knocked backed $1 million (offer) last week so I’m glad I paid it again.”
The multiple Group 1-winning trainer provided insight into why he was so trusting having never even caught sight of the talented two-year-old.
“I hadn’t seen it. It was from a stud, a family called Gleeson Thoroughbred, I’ve been working with them for years, I trust them, I know them well,” he said further.
“Rothesay as a sire had probably fallen off the map a bit, commercially.
“This stud said, ‘Look, it’s going to cost us $5,000 to get him ready to take him to sale and we are going to get offered $5,000 so will you give us $10,000 now over the phone now?’ I said done.
“Smartest move I’ve made for a while.”
Comparisons to his star sprinter Buffering, who won seven Group 1s, have already become apparent which has the trainer at ease over his early loss of funds.
“He’s done it in pretty impressive style, so it’s easy for me to make the comparison with Buffering,” he said.
“At the same stage of his career, he’s probably just as good.
“It’s a similar story. I only paid $20,000 for Buffering and he won $7.3 million.”
Heathcote says Rothfire will run in next weekend’s QTIS Jewel at Gold Coast before going for a spell ahead of a potential trip to Melbourne for the Spring Carnival via Sydney.
“There was some conjecture I might take him down to Sydney for the Golden Slipper for the week later,” he added.
“But I’m going to look after him. I want to bring him back to Melbourne for the spring.”
The Coolmore Stud Stakes over 1200m at Flemington Derby Day is the likely goal with the Roman Consul at Randwick in early October, just like his old warhorse.
“A similar plan to what Buffering did.”
HEATHCOTE RATES HIS EAGLE FARM RUNNERS