ROTHFIRE STUNS HIS RIVALS IN THE SYDNEY STAKES

By Graham Potter | Saturday, October 18, 2025

Rothfire’s win in the $2 million Sydney Stakes at Randwick on The Everest race-day was nothing short of magnificent in its own right, that is even without taking into account the extraordinary details of the career path that Rothfire and his connections have endured on the way to earning a place in the winner’s enclosure at Randwick on Saturday … from the tragedy and heartbreak to the relief and joy … from the deepest of despair to elevated exhilaration.

Rothfire had the visitor’s draw in the Sydney Stakes (16 out of 16) but he also had two huge factors in his favour … a trainer (Robert Heathcote) who knew his horse backwards and who had Rothfire prepared to the minute … and a world class jockey (Zac Purton) who is second to none when competing in a big race environment.

The expertise of trainer and rider was supplemented by Rothfire’s own inherent ability and a steely commitment to the cause … which all combined to form a genuine and formidable ‘team’ assault on the $2 million feature race in which Rothfire ultimately prevailed in a highly pressurised finish.

“For this horse to do what he has done … he has done it from the outside draw. He has defied veterinary critics for so long … and here he is winning a $2 million race,” said an emotional Heathcote post-race.

“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 with all he’s been through.

“Let me say, what a ride from Zac (Purton),” continued Heathcote, “Barrier 16 and he has got him sixth with cover … and when he produced him, I knew the old boy would fight. It’s just a huge thrill.”

And fight he did.

Just under five lengths off the lead turning for home, Rothfire stayed on well enough in the first half of the straight, but he was still three lengths adrift of the front with 150m left to run. Not only that, but rival Iowna Merc, racing immediately to Rothfire’s outside, seemed to be going the better of the two at that stage.

Rothfire was having none of that though, and he and Iowna Merc kept coming. Matching stride for stride at an increased tempo which carried hem up to … and passed … the leader with less than 50m left to run with Purton pushing the Heathcote runner to the front when it mattered most to see off Iowna Merc by 0.31 lengths.

It has been very well documented that Rothfire suffered a catastrophic, career threatening injury all the way back in September 2020, a badly fractured sesamoid which ultimately healed after a surgery, rest and rehabilitation period which kept Rothfire away from race action for a full twelve months.

Anything after that in racing terms was very much a tenuous option initially. Then, although there would be other moments when minor some issues arose, the prognosis steadily became more comfortable, with the proviso that the horse always required careful, extra management by the stable.

The foundation of all that followed was Heathcote’s belief in the horse and the owner’s belief in Heathcote’s judgement.

The rest, as they say … is history.

That’s eleven wins from thirty-eight starts now … with nine minor placings … and $4 709 875 banked in prize-money.

Rothfire’s honour role includes a Group 1 win in the J J Atkins, Group 2 wins in the Victory Stakes, the McEwen, the Run To The Rose and Champagne Classic, a win in the King OF The Mountain … now a win in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes.

Rothfire also placed numerous times in Group company, most notably when fishing second in three Group 1’s … the Doomben 10 000 (behind Sunshine In Paris), in the Manikato (behind Bella Nipotina) and in the Stradbroke (behind Think About It).

He also finished second in the Group 2 McEwen (behind Imperatriz, a race in which he beat Giga Kick home).

Rothfire also finished third a further two Group 1 races … the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (behind Think About It and Converge) and the Stradbroke (behind Alligator Blood and Private Eye).

The names of horses Rothfire has taken on over the years reads like a ‘who’s who’ of the Australian turf. So many times it has taken a really good horse to beat him, a fact, even in defeat, will always stand to his credit.

It is a very proud record indeed.

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