An emotional moment for connections of Rothfire, who returned to the winner's circle for the first time in two years in Saturday's Group II Mitty's McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
Ridden by Damian Lane for Robert Heathcote, Rothfire overpowered fellow Queenslander Zoustyle (Zoustar) by three-quarter of a length, with the favourite Coolangatta (Written Tycoon) a further one and a quarter length back in third.
Arguably the most exciting three-year-old in the land, Rothfire won seven of his first eight starts culminating with his win in the Group II Run To The Rose. The trailing pack included Ole Kirk, North Pacific, Peltzer, Farnam, and King's Legacy, all now standing at leading stud farms.
At his next start, Rothfire pulled up with an injury when fourth to Ole Kirk in the Group 1 Golden Rose, and it has been a long road back for the 5yo gelded son of Rothesay.
"Gee, I love this race track. I've had some good times here," Heathcote enthused.
"Back in 2016, we farewelled the great Buffering, and I've come back today with a horse that I thought might have been as good, but then he suffered a bad injury.
"That's his first win back since he suffered that injury, and many of the owners are here today, and I'm one very, very proud trainer.
"I said it would be a miracle if he ever got back to the races - he did - it would be a miracle if he could be competitive at this level, and it's a miracle he's come back and won.
"I was happy with him because this winter carnival at home, I could train him properly.
"I've been walking on eggshells since the injury. He was ever so brave in his run in the Stradbroke (behind Alligator Blood), a Group 1 over 1400m.
"After three weeks off, he's returned, kept that residual fitness, and I haven't had to do much with him.
"I'd like to win another Moir and another Manikato. I love coming back here."
Rothfire advances his record to eight wins, one second, and a third from 16 starts with earnings of $1,319,875.
Bred by Wally and Jill Gleeson's Gleeson Thoroughbreds, Rothfire couldn't make a yearling sale, so he was offered to trainer Robert Heathcote for $10,000 and what an investment he has been.
He is the best of three winners from five to race out of the unraced Hussonet (USA) mare Huss On Fire, who was pensioned in 2018.
Rothfire changed the fortunes of his sire Rothesay who covered just 28 mares in 2017 and 2018 before covering a career-high 177 mares at Lyndhurst Stud in 2020. The son of Fastnet Rock stands for a fee of $4,950 this season.
