Doubtful if we'll actually ever see Teofilo on the track again..
from the racing post:
EOFILO was effectively ruled out of the Vodafone Derby on Sunday as trainer Jim Bolger pledged to “take the safe route” back to the racecourse with last season's champion two-year-old.
The colt, withdrawn from the 2,000 Guineas on Thursday, will require six weeks on the easy list, which was likely to delay any reappearance until July, when the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes would be his most realistic target.
Bolger said Teofilo was sound and would continue having regular swimming sessions in the meantime. He defended his conduct in recent weeks, during which he has been accused of not keeping punters fully informed about the wellbeing of the colt, whose setback was disclosed the day after some alarming betting activity.
Unrepentant on Sunday, Bolger - perhaps tongue-in-cheek - even made an offer to consider refunding bets of those punters who lost out because of Teofilo's absence from Newmarket.
“It's easy to say with hindsight I would have made sure I didn't fall asleep,” he said. “I would have set the alarm clock, but I don't have any huge regrets. Nobody died.
“Contrary to what John McCririck had to say, this horse did a brilliant piece of fast work yesterday week and we couldn't have been happier with him. There have been no half-truths, nothing but the truth since this horse attracted public attention in the past couple of weeks. “If there are any real hardship cases out there - people who lost money - if they put a good case to me I'll consider it."
Bolger will make an announcement in two weeks on Teofilo's condition but on Sunday described the chances of the colt, who has suffered an over-reach, running in the Derby as “unlikely”. He continued: “It would be lovely to have Teofilo in a few weeks but I don't think that is going to happen. “I'd say we are looking at probably six weeks on the easy list and assess the situation at that stage. The very best you could be looking at would be the King George. I would think he won't make the Derby. If there was any doubt about having him for the King George, then there would be the ChampionStakes at Leopardstown. I don't think he would be ready in time for the Irish Derby but if I'm wrong that would be a bonus.
“We are pretty sure it's an over-reach problem, and they can usually take anything up to three months but with the sort of treatment we can give him we would hope to shorten that, but we will not be taking any chances."
Despite the injury, there are no plans to keep Teofilo, owned by his wife Jackie, in training next year, although no stud deal has been finalised, according to the trainer.
“He won't race beyond his three-year-old days,” he added. “I can tell you that there is no arrangement vis-a-vis his stallion career at this stage other than one mare is booked - and that's Finsceal Beo.”
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Rumours have it that Coolmore have bought up the rights already..
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