Charity horse Burrow Seven set to make his racing debut in a National Hunt Flat race at Catterick on 14th December

Although Burrow Seven has not yet raced the four-year-old horse has already raised £100,000 for vital research into motor neurone disease. He will be cheered on by 3,000 members of the Burrow Seven Racing Club when he runs next Tuesday at Catterick. 

Named after former Leeds Rhinos star, Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with MND almost two years ago, Burrow Seven is trained in Middleham, North Yorkshire by Jedd O’Keeffe. Over 130 members of the club turned up to see the gelding during National Racehorse Week in September.  

Phil Hawthorne, who set up the racing club last year said: “Mark Dwyer, the former jockey turned bloodstock agent, is a good friend of mine and told me Henrietta Knight had just the horse for us. We saw him last autumn and were keen to have him. He had a few setbacks which have held up our plans but is still a young horse with time on his side.

“Even though we’ve had to wait over a year to see him run, the response has been fantastic, with over 3,000 people signing up to support the club and the Rob Burrow Fight Back Fund with the MDNA,” says Phil.

“The support we’ve had from the Rugby League family and the horseracing family has already been amazing and we’re hoping this horse will help us raise even more funds for the MNDA and Leeds Hospital Charities, which is also close to Rob’s heart. Any prize money he wins will go to the charities.”

Barrie McDermott, Leeds Rhinos Legend, Sky Sports Presenter and Burrow Seven Brand Ambassador said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to all Burrow Seven members, corporate partners and brand ambassadors for their brilliant support during the 2021 fundraising campaign. We have been able to donate £100,000 and we are really looking forward to the 2022 fundraising campaign and seeing Burrow Seven make his debut.” 

Fiona Needham, General Manager and Clerk of the Course at Catterick Racecourse said: “We’re delighted that Catterick has been chosen for Burrow Seven’s racecourse debut. The racing club are fundraising for such a fantastic cause, and hopefully their colours will be carried to great success!”

You can still support Rob by joining the Burrow Seven Racing Club for just £59 at burrowseven.com.