Vale Albert Rothacker

Albert Rothacker, a member of harness racing's famed Rothacker family passed Sunday night 10th February aged 91. Albert was a foundation member of the Bendigo Harness Racing Club, Life Member and was instrumental in the progression and success of the BHRC.  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, His son Robert has said, "Dad drove quite a bit and took Arlen to Melbourne in the mid '60s and won a couple of metro races," Robert said."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 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.The Bendigo Harness Racing Club extends its condolences to Albert 'Rothacker's family and friends.