Two small bone chips resting on Robert Heathcote’s office desk serve as a constant reminder of just how tough Rothfire is — a symbol of his incredible will to overcome adversity and rise again. On Saturday, the Queensland warhorse delivered one of the most emotional victories of the spring, winning the $2 million Sydney Stakes (1200m) under an Everest warm-up ride by champion jockey Zac Purton.
Sent out at $13, Rothfire burst through a narrow opening to prevail by a short neck over Iowna Merc ($21), with With Your Blessing ($20) another long neck away in third. The Group 3 triumph ended a near two-year drought and reaffirmed the gelding’s class — and his trainer’s unwavering faith in him.
“It means so much because the journey that this horse has taken us on, I’ve had him in three Everests,” Heathcote said. “We could have been 35 minutes away from his fourth but I’ll take this consolation.”
“He injured himself in the Golden Rose five years ago and it took us 18 months to get him back. People ask what is the biggest win in your life and I always say ‘Buff’ (Buffering) winning in Dubai, but this goes right up there close with all he’s been through.”
Heathcote also reflected on the horse’s misfortunes earlier this year, particularly his luckless runs in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) and the Manikato Stakes in Melbourne, where he was better than the results suggested.
He also credited jockey Nash Rawiller for helping secure Purton for the ride. “I have to thank Nash,” Heathcote said. “He’s the one who said, ‘Zac won’t have a ride and I’ll call him to tell him to ride this horse.’”
Now an eight-year-old, Rothfire’s return to the winner’s circle silenced talk of retirement and underscored his enduring class. “He’s defied veterinary critics for so long and here he is winning a $2 million race,” Heathcote said proudly.
For punters eager to back Rothfire or explore betting on The Everest and other spring features, head to Australia’s leading betting sites for the latest odds and promotions.