Tag Archive for: Rob Burrow

Macarone on a mission for Rob Burrow Racing Club at Thirsk

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Yorkshire handler Craig Lidster admits he has been humbled by the chance to train Macarone for the Rob Burrow Racing Club as he sets his sights on a fitting Pontefract date later this month.

Burrow’s battle with motor neurone disease has touched the hearts of the nation and has also left a lasting impression on the Easingwold-based handler, who has relished the opportunity to train for the racing club that raises money for charity in the former England and Leeds Rhinos star’s name.

Lidster has recorded 30 winners so far in his fledgling training career, but none meant as much to him as Macarone’s maiden triumph at Beverley last month, which came on his first start in the Rob Burrow Racing Club colours.

And although injuring his back on the gallops a day before Macarone broke his duck, Lidster was trackside to witness the son of Havana Grey open his account in the hands of Paul Hanagan, who not long afterwards announced his retirement from the saddle.

Training for Rob Burrow has been humbling for Yorkshire handler Craig Lidster
Training for Rob Burrow has been humbling for Yorkshire handler Craig Lidster (Mike Egerton/PA)

He said: “We were thrilled to bits to get that win at Beverley and it was special as it was one of Paul’s last rides.

“It’s an honour to train for Rob. People asked me before Macarone won what was the pinnacle of my training career and I would say watching Julie Camacho and Steve Brown win Group Ones with Shaquille because they are very good friends of mine.

“But to go and top that with Macarone winning for the Rob Burrow Racing Club was a massive pleasure and humbling.

“I had broken my back the day before (in an accident on the gallops) and people were saying ‘what are you doing here?’. But when you turn around and see people in a worse situation than you, there was no way I was going to miss that in a million years.”

Having now got off the mark, Macarone will now attempt to climb the ratings at Thirsk in a bid to secure his place in a Pontefract nursery later this month.

It would be an appropriate climax to the youngster’s juvenile campaign with the race taking place in Burrow’s home town and at the closest racecourse to Leeds where he made his name in the Rhinos’ jersey.

“He is going to go to Thirsk on Monday,” continued Lidster.

“The main target is Pontefract on September 28 which is Rob’s home track so we would like to get Macarone to Rob’s home turf. The race is a 0-78 so we would like to come up the weights a bit to make sure we get in there.

“He’s a nice horse and a nice prospect going forward and with Rob Burrow taking him on, both myself and Steve (Burdett, the horse’s previous owner) were really keen to help Rob in any way we can.

“It’s a massive cause for such a lovely fella and we just couldn’t turn down helping.”

Beep Beep Burrow primed for Doncaster debut

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Beep Beep Burrow will make his debut in front of his namesake Rob Burrow at Doncaster on Saturday.

The six-year-old, who is trained by Jedd O’Keeffe, was due to run for the first time at Doncaster on January 10 but was ruled out by a minor injury.

His first racecourse appearance will now come at the same track as he contests the Good Luck Beep Beep Burrow Open National Hunt Flat Race.

Beep Beep Burrow
Beep Beep Burrow (The Good Racing Co)

The Malinas gelding will be cheered on by Burrow and his family, who will also benefit partly from funds raised by the horse via the Rob Burrow 7 Discretionary Trust, which helps the family meet the costs of living with Motor Neurone Disease.

The remaining funds raised by the partnership who own the horse, The Good Racing Company, will go to the MND Association.

Lindsey Burrow, wife of Rob, said: “Rob and I are really grateful that The Good Racing Company will be donating to Rob’s Trust alongside the MND Association. It will make a real difference to the daily life of our family.

“Rob’s passion for racing grows daily. He’s converted the entire family now and we all enjoy a day out at the races. We are all behind Beep Beep Burrow and can’t wait to watch him race.”

Beep Beep Burrow all set for Doncaster debut

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Beep Beep Burrow will make his track debut at Doncaster on Tuesday for his namesake, former rugby league star Rob Burrow.

The gelding, who is trained by Jedd O’Keeffe, is owned by the Good Racing Company Ltd and will be campaigned to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, a condition Burrow was diagnosed with in 2019.

Burrow earned himself the nickname ‘Beep Beep Burrow’ during his time at Leeds Rhinos and it has been transferred to the horse, who will continue the work started by former O’Keeffe inmate Burrow Seven – retired due to injury in November after a handful of promising runs.

Beep Beep Burrow
Beep Beep Burrow (The Good Racing Co)

Beep Beep Burrow, by Malinas and out of Ballygambon Girl, will contest the Good Luck “Beep Beep Burrow” Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race on Town Moor as Burrow and his family head to South Yorkshire to cheer him on.

“Beep Beep Burrow is such an exciting horse and we’re all hoping he lives up to his name,” said Burrow.

“We’re very much looking forward to his debut in Doncaster where he’ll get his chance to show people just what he can do on the racecourse.”