He came, he saw, he conquered, Rothfire, the $10,000 sales reject from Queensland, looked an inspired choice for the Everest after he blew away a well-performed field of bluebloods in Saturday’s Group II Run To The Rose at Rosehill.
With a fired-up Farnan setting a blistering speed Jim Byne had the son of Rothesay settled in second place in the run.
When Farnan ran out of gas at the 200m, Rothfire took command and was untroubled in defeating Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon) by one and a half lengths with North Pacific (Brazen Beau) a length back in third.
A fascicle three and a quarter length winner of the Group 1 JJ Atkins Plate at Eagle Farm to close out his juvenile season, the Robert Heathcote-trained gelding advances his record to 7 wins and a second from 8 starts with earnings of $869,750.
“It’s exciting to have another horse like this since Buffering,” stable representative Mel Sharpe said.
“I’m speechless to be honest, I’m just excited for what’s to come.
“This little horse just keeps defying all the odds and taking that next step. This is just the beginning and there is just so much more to come.
“We said that if Farnan wants to cross us and lead, let him. It’s onwards and upwards.”
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.
While there may be a shortage of black-type close-up, Huss On Fire’s granddam Verscay (Marscay) is a three-quarter sister to Listed Dark Jewel Classic winner Romare and a half-sister to the very talented Vertingly whose five ins included the Group III Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield.
Huss On Fire died last year and Rothfire is her final foal.
Rothfire is one of six stakes-winners for Lyndhurst Stud’s Fastnet Rock stallion Rothesay who after having a couple of quiet seasons bounced back in 2019 covering 98 mares at a fee of $4,950.
