Retiring Queensland-bred champion racehorse Rothfire will return to the scene of his famous Doomben 10,000 victory for a special farewell on Tuesday, 3 November, coinciding with Brisbane Racing Club’s Canadian Club Melbourne Cup Raceday.
Racegoers will have the opportunity to join Rothfire’s owners and trainer Rob Heathcote in raising a toast to the Queensland champion’s remarkable career, with a complimentary XXXX Gold included in every entry ticket as part of the Frothy with Rothy celebration.
The popular galloper will enjoy a final canter down the straight at Doomben Racecourse, giving fans one last chance to farewell a horse who has captured the hearts of Queensland racing supporters.
Brisbane Racing Club CEO Karl deKroo said Rothfire had earned a special place in the hearts of Queensland racing fans.
“Rothfire is one of those horses who really captures what Queensland racing is all about. He’s tough, he’s talented and he’s given us some incredible moments over the years,” deKroo said.
“His win in this year’s Doomben 10,000 was one of the great moments of our Stradbroke Season. To see him return to Group 1 glory after everything he’d been through was pretty extraordinary, and I don’t think there was anyone at Doomben that day who wasn’t cheering him home.
“We wanted to make sure he received the farewell he deserves, and what better way than to bring him back to Doomben, where he produced one of his most memorable performances.”
The farewell canter will take place on course at approximately 12:20pm ahead of Race 4, fittingly named Happy Retirement Rothfire.
A special video tribute celebrating Rothfire’s greatest highlights and achievements will also be broadcast around the racecourse, giving racegoers the opportunity to relive some of his most memorable performances.
Further honouring the champion, a mural dedicated to Rothfire will become a new feature at Doomben Racecourse.
Located inside the Gate 4 entrance, the artwork will celebrate his extraordinary career and provide a lasting tribute to one of Queensland racing’s favourite horses. The finishing touches will be painted live on course during Higgins Coatings Derby Raceday.
Rothfire retires after an outstanding career spanning 47 starts, recording 12 wins, including two Group 1 victories, ten minor placings and more than $5.8 million in prizemoney.
He burst onto the national stage as a two-year-old with victory in the 2020 Group 1 J.J. Atkins Stakes, announcing himself as one of the country’s most exciting young gallopers.
However, his career would be tested by a series of serious injuries, including a fractured sesamoid suffered as a three-year-old that threatened to end his racing days prematurely.
Through the dedication and patience of trainer Rob Heathcote, his owners and the team around him, Rothfire defied the odds to return to the highest level of Australian racing.
His crowning comeback came during this year’s Ladbrokes Stradbroke Season, when he wound back the clock to claim the Group 1 Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 in front of thousands of delighted local racing fans.
The victory set a new Australian record of 2,169 days between Group 1 wins, completing one of the most remarkable comeback stories in Australian racing.
Mr deKroo said the achievement was a testament to the resilience of both horse and connections.
“It’s also a chance to recognise Rob Heathcote and Rothfire’s owners, who have shown tremendous faith and patience throughout his career. They’ve given Queensland racing a champion to be incredibly proud of.
“Thanks to our great partners at XXXX, everyone who joins us on Melbourne Cup Day can raise a Frothy with Rothy and celebrate a wonderful Queensland racing story.
“Rothfire has given racing fans plenty to cheer about over the years, so it’s only fitting that we get to give him one final cheer at Doomben.”
The Frothy with Rothy celebration will form part of Brisbane Racing Club’s Canadian Club Melbourne Cup Raceday on Tuesday, 3 November, with a full afternoon of live racing, hospitality and Melbourne Cup festivities.
