3 minute read
Gelding becomes sixth stakes winner for the sire.
In winning the Champagne Classic (Gr 2, 1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, Rothfire (2 g ex Huss On Fire by Hussonet) gave Rothesay (Fastnet Rock) his biggest day as a sire when he became his sixth stakes winner.
Starting favourite, Rothfire jumped straight to the lead and went on to score a length and a quarter victory over Isotope (Deep Field), while Wild Ruler (Snitzel) was a short half-head back in third place.
Robert Heathcote has a high opinion of Rothfire who is now headed to the JJ Atkins (Gr 1, 1400m) on June 6. "I think he is such a laid back fellow he will handle the 1400 metres," Heathcote said.
"I really do have a lot of time for this horse. He has done everything we have asked of him."
Rothfire is one of six foals and three winners out of the unraced Hussonet (Mr Prospector) mare Huss On Fire and becomes the first stakes winner in three generations of his family.
Huss On Fire's grandam Verscay (Marscay) is a three-quarter sister to Listed winner Romare, while further back this is the family of Group 3 winner Vertingly (Bletchingly).
Rothfire joins Group 3 winner Chapter And Verse, Listed winners Havasay, In His Stride, Too Good Too Refuse and Over Exposure as Rothesay's other stakes winners and he stood at Lyndhurst Stud Farm in 2019 covering 98 mares at a fee of $4,950 (inc GST).
