Balthazar King will not continue this season due to a ruptured aortic root
Balthazar King, son of King’s Theatre, out of Afdala, will not be continuing this season as he has been diagnosed with a heart problem.
His trainer, Philip Hobbs told the press that: "Balthazar King has ruptured an aortic root," he further elaborated that "The long-term prognosis won't be known for a while, but he certainly won't run again this season."
The eight-year-gelding, who was whelped on 12th February, 2004, had a successful start this season. He triumphed in the Glenfarclas Handicap Chase (Cross Country Chase) at Cheltenham on 13th March, 2012.
He entered the race with the odds of 11 to 2, and was mounted by Richard Johnson.
He led in the beginning of the race, but was overtaken and chased the leader throughout. He was in contention with A New Story but claimed the narrow victory by a head.
The victory at Cheltenham gave the runner a chance to redeem himself as he finished twelfth in the Grade 3 Hennessy Gold Cup Chase (Handicap) at Newbury on 26th November, 2011.
He showed signs of exhaustion and weakened towards the end. He fell short of the expectations of his connections, but his glorious win at the Cheltenham Festival this year gave him the credit that he deserved.
The runner has many memorable victories in his record. He raced as the evening’s favourite in the Squareintheair.com Novices' Chase at Cheltenham on 13th April, 2011, where he was ridden by Richard Johnson.
He was a prominent leader from the beginning, but started to slow down. He regained his composure towards the end of the race and claimed victory, 1 ½ lengths ahead of Adams Island, who was trained by Rebecca Curtis at that point.
It is definitely unfortunate for the gelding to be ruled out of the season, as he began with it a magnificent victory in the prestigious festival.
Owned by The Brushmakers, the gelding next start was supposed to be in the Bet 365 Gold Cup which is scheduled to take place at Sandown on 28th April, 2012. At this point, it is essential that he is taken care of and his health
attended to.
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