Albert Rothacker

Gordon Rothacker's brother Albert passed away last Sunday.

Albert Rothacker, a member of harness racing's famed Rothacker familv passed away last Sunday night at age 91.

His father Bill Rothacker and uncles Vic and Charlie, all farmers, were the first of the Rothackers to breed, own, race and train their own horses, with the first of the well-knowns being iron mare Susie Royal which won 5 races at Ascot, Melbourne from 1934-1938, along with many country races.

Albert farmed a property at Serpentine, and along with his brother Gordon and cousins Eric, Des and Stuart was an owner/driver in the 1950s and '60s as well as a hobby trainer

Albert drove at the opening of Lord's Raceway Bendigo on November 14, 1954, finishing second on Columbus, which won something like 32 FFA races. Cousin Eric finished unplaced in the same race.
Albert was a foundation member of the Bendigo Harness Racing Club, and a Life Member.

His son Robert has said, "Dad drove quite a bit. In the '50s he drove Wilbur's Hope and three Rothackers, Albert, Eric and Gordon were in a race once and he did get up and beat Eric and Gentleman John and Gordon and Avian Again. Wilbur's Hope was a fantastic free-legged horse."

Albert's driving career came to an end after hurting his shoulder in a race fall at Horsham in the early 1970s, but he continued to train until 1994-95. Albert bred and owned horses including Impala which he raced with Robert, up until 2005.

Albert was buried today, Friday February 15 at the Yarrayne Cemetery, Serpentine.