The Rothacker Family is one that can claim an Inter Dominion Championship winning trainer/driver (Eric) and a record fourteen Metropolitan Driving Premierships, all captured by Gordon Rothacker, the inaugural Hall of Famer that was elevated to Legend status and one whose name was seconded for the State’s premier honour, the Gordon Rothacker Medal and also to the main grandstand at Melton Entertainment Centre. Gordon also represented Australia in the 1971 World Drivers Championship held in North America.

The early Melbourne Metropolitan Driving and Training credits were accumulated by brothers Bill and Vic Rothacker, both of whom were the recipients of TCB Distinguished Service Medals. The two mares that set them on their way were the trotter Susie Royal and the pacer Park Pool. Bill and Vic Rothacker had another brother Charles, as well as a sister Reta, all four claiming Albert and Elizabeth Rothacker as parents.

Bill Rothacker was the father of the legendary Gordon as well as Albert, while Vic Rothacker, was the father of Eric (trainer/driver of 1956 Inter Dominion champion Gentleman John), Des and Stuart Rothacker who had a son with the same name, with racebooks distinguishing between then as Stuart V. Rothacker (father) and Stuart D. Rothacker (son). Eric represented Australia in the World Amateur Driving Championship.

A sibling of the brothers was Reta Elizabeth who in 1935 married Hugh Garnet Redwood, called “the father of the famous Redwood” two-year-old trotters classic. Hugh and Reta’s sons Colin and Noel both trained and drove Melbourne metropolitan winners with Colin Redwood representing Australia in the World Amateur Driving Championship, a recipient of a Distinguished Service Medal and President of the V.S.T.A.

Another Rothacker who was the ancestress into a family of horsemen was Aileen “Nancy” Rothacker, daughter of Charles Rothacker, a brother to Bill, Reta and Vic. Nancy married Keith Mervyn Joseph Rawiller in 1946 and their son Keith proved himself in the galloping world, especially over the jumps and attained some Group One glory in harness racing with the S.A. and N.S.W. Trotters Derby winner El Cordobies. Keith’s two sons Nash (3,000+ winners – 25 G1s) and Brad (67 Group Ones) have excelled solely in the thoroughbed world.

With respect to Metropolitan Premierships, Gordon has sole ownership with a record 14 Driving Premierships and also a one-time record number of Trainers Premierships – ten – a number that was equalled by Emma Stewart in 2024 and is almost certainly to be exceeded by her in 2025.The only other Rothacker that has figured in the Top Five has been Eric who was fifth on the Drivers Premiership table in 1952/53.

Gordon’s wife Jean was an indispensable part of Gordon’s success and figured prominently as both the breeder and owner of so many of Gordon’s greatest winners such as Hall of Famer Angelique, Gallagher and Rhett. Their daughter Judy also figures and an owner of metropolitan winners, been a HRV Board Member and has also been the lead HRV person in respect of Hall of Fame in recent times.

CLICK HERE for a list, in chronological order, or every winner the Rothacker name or a direct descendant of a Rothacker has been associated with as a driver and trainer up to and including August 31, 2025. The totals are impressive.

735 DRIVING VICTORIES – 690 TRAINING VICTORIES