They scaled the heights of The Everest but the golden ride is over for Yes Yes Yes and his trio of Armidale owners.
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The Everest hero has been forced to retire from racing with a tendon injury.
He was due to have an exhibition gallop at Randwick on Saturday but trainer Chris Waller pulled the pin on the gallop when heat was discovered in the left front tendon.
Upon further examination over the weekend a lesion was found.
Waller said the valuable colt would require at least nine months, possibly 12, on the sidelines to be fit for a return to racing and given his potential as a stallion that would be risky.
The star three-year-old was being prepared for an autumn campaign that would culminate in the Group 1 $2.5m TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on Day 1 of The Championships and a trip to Royal Ascot.
Instead Yes Yes Yes will head to Coolmore Stud in the spring, having earned his owners, who include Armidale Jockey Club secretary-manager Jim Dedes, Harley Payne and Gary Russell $7.1 million in prizemoney.
"It's a bit of sad news," Dedes said.
"It's the old saying - it only happens to the good ones."
"But it could have been worse. He could have broken down in a gallop."
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Fortunately it was picked up early, which means he is "still going to have a good life" and retain his value as a stud prospect.
Dedes said it had been a wonderful ride, and one the Golden Table syndicate, will never forget.
"It will never happen to us again, you would think," he said.
"The fun and ride we've had with this horse has been unbelievable."
"We've gone from winning races at Bundarra to the Everest."
The world's richest race on turf, Dedes said the trio often still reminisce about the race.
"About every week I rewatch the race so I know it's not a dream," he said.
Waller described Yes Yes Yes as "a very special colt".
"I have been very fortunate to train some great horses but it has been a privilege to train a colt that boasts the qualities he has, coupling physical prowess and mental aptitude beyond his years giving a glimpse sample of how good this horse is,'' he said.
Asked what made him so go, Dedes answered his turn of foot.
But while Yes Yes Yes' racing days are over the Golden Table's certainly aren't.
They have brought into a young two-year old with Danny O'Brien and a horse that is currently racing in France and has nine starts for three wins.
They also have a share in Cliff's Edge. The five-year old is back in work and has been nominated for the $5million All Star Mile.
"They're talking about maybe a Doncaster," Dedes said.
"The beauty about him is he's a stallion too."
Dedes is also busy preparing for next month's Armidale Cup. There was some doubt whether the meeting would go ahead, with the ongoing drought forcing the club to transfer a number of meetings, but the track is looking "tremendous" following some welcome rain.
"We've had 200ml in the last six weeks. We only had 300ml for whole year last year," Dedes said.
"It's not only turned the track but turned the countryside around."
Dedes said they want to make the March 1 meeting a celebration for the local community.