The recently announced Rob Burrow Racing Club celebrates it’s first win after the newest horse in its stable, Macarone, won in the 2.30pm Sculpture Trail Nursery Handicap race at Beverley today in what former Champion jockey Paul Hanagan describes as “the most emotional win I’ve ever rode.” Macarone was prominent throughout the race. He led over one furlong out and kept on to win comfortably by one length. Trained by Craig Lidster at Eboracum stables near York, Macarone is an exceptionally promising two-year-old from stallion Havana Grey. He finished second in his previous race at Bath on July 19 in the CB Protection Security Training Nursery Handicap. Macarone is one of three horses in The Good Racing Company’s recently announced Rob Burrow Racing Club, which raises money specifically for the Rob Burrow 7 Discretionary Trust and the MND Association. The other two horses in the Rob Burrow Racing Club are Burrow Seven, who retired to become an equine welfare horse last year, and Beep Beep Burrow, a promising jumps horse trained by Jedd O’Keeffe. Rob and Lindsay Burrow were watching the race from near the winning post alongside former Leeds Rhinos playing colleagues Barrie McDermott, Danny McGuire and Brett Delaney. Rob and Lindsey have become regular faces at the races after developing a genuine passion for the sport through The Good Racing Company. Rob says of the win today: “Well done Macarone! You’ve given The Rob Burrow Racing Club our first win, and I couldn’t be prouder!“Racing can be tough at times, and just like rugby, it has its ups and downs. Macarone has given us a perfect result today though. It’s been worth the wait.” Rob’s wife Lindsey said “I was screaming so loudly I might have lost my voice!”
On being asked how it feels to have ridden the first winner for the Rob Burrow Racing Club Paul Hanagan said: “I’ve been blessed to ride a lot of winners in my career and I can safely say today is bang up there with the best of them. It was definitely emotional with Rob and his family being here too. It really doesn’t get much better. “The reception we got coming back in was something I’ll never forget, and I can’t tell you how chuffed I am. You always know it’s something special when the other jockeys start applauding you when you come back in the weighing room. It was a very special day and hopefully this will be onwards and upwards for The Rob Burrow Racing Club.” To date The Good Racing Company has donated nearly £180,000 to good causes. It was set up by entrepreneur and racing enthusiast Phil Hawthorne in October 2020 who recognised the potential in uniting the racing community through a new, innovative fundraising model selling corporate and individual memberships. Annual membership of the Rob Burrow Racing Club costs £77.00. Members get racing updates from all three horses, a smart membership pack which includes a bespoke metal members badge and lapel badge. They are also given the opportunity to attend stable experiences, racedays and networking events. There were countless racing club members in attendance today.
