Sport
2 November, 2025
Hall of Fame honour to ‘greatest family’
THE GREATEST name in Victorian harness racing has been immortalised, with the Rothacker family inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame.
THE GREATEST name in Victorian harness racing has been immortalised, with the Rothacker family inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame.
The Rothackers, from Serpentine and Bridgewater, have for generations been major figures in harness racing, both on the track and in the breeding of horses.
The family’s achievements were celebrated at the Hall of Fame awards, with Carol Canfield (nee Rothacker) and Peter Rothacker accepting the accolade.
They are descendants of Albert and Elizabeth Rothacker whose four children were critical in shaping Victorian harness racing.
Bill Rothacker was a metropolitan trainer and driver, and father of Gordon, a 14-time metropolitan drivers’ premiership winner who is already in the Hall of Fame as its first Legend.
He represented Australia in the World Drivers’ Championship in the United States.
Victoria’s best driver now wins the Gordon Rothacker Medal, and a grandstand at the Melton track is named after him.
Vic Rothacker, Bill’s brother, was a trainer and driver who became president of Bendigo Harness Racing Club and also has a grandstand named in his honour.
Vic’s son Eric was the trainer/driver of 1956 Inter Dominion winner Gentleman John and represented Australia in the World Amateur Driving Championship.
Vic’s sister Reta married Hugh Redwood in 1935, in whose name the iconic two-year-old race the Redwood Classic is run.
Their sons Colin and Noel both trained and drove metropolitan winners, with Colin representing Australia in the World Amateur Driving Championship.
Charles Rothacker, brother of Bill, Vic and Reta, was the father of Nancy, who married Mervyn Rawiller.
Their son, Keith, enjoyed success in harness racing and thoroughbreds, and is the father of renowned jockeys Nash and Brad.
The third generation continues the family legacy with Peter and Stuart Rothacker still involved in the harness racing industry.