Rob Burrow namesake Burrow Seven forced to retire after 'unavoidable' injury

Burrow Seven, the horse named after Leeds Rhinos rugby league legend Rob Burrow who is battling motor neurone disease, has suffered another injury and been retired.

However, a replacement is already in training with Jedd O'Keeffe and will take up the mantle of raising money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Leeds Hospitals Charity.

Burrow Seven had already helped generate more than £100,000 in membership money, defying niggling setbacks to finish second in a bumper and third in a novice hurdle from four starts, and earning considerable coverage thanks to the way his namesake's courageous fight against a crippling condition has gripped the nation.

Rob Burrow with his equine namesake and a share of the money he raisedCredit: Good Racing Co

But Phil Hawthorne, whose Good Racing Co. were behind the initiative, said: "I had Rob and his family over and I had to tell them that Burrow Seven has incurred another injury and he's going to have to be retired.

"The good news is that we're going to keep him on board and he's going to become an equine welfare horse. He's going to visit care homes, nursing homes, schools and be a brand ambassador for the Good Racing company.

"And the other good news is that I've found a replacement for him. I asked Rob and his family to name the horse and when Rob played for Leeds his nickname was Beep Beep, so we've called it Beep Beep Burrow. He's also with Jedd O'Keeffe and he'll start off in a bumper and will then go over hurdles and fences."

O’Keeffe said: "Burrow Seven held much promise, so it’s really sad to see him retire early. His injury was the kind of unavoidable and unfortunate event that we occasionally see in racehorses that exercise at speed.

"His gentle nature will really suit his second career as an equine welfare horse, and I'm delighted that he’ll have an indefinite role with The Good Racing Co. Beep Beep Burrow is an exciting five-year-old and I'm looking forward to training him over the coming season."

Reflecting on the horse's enforced retirement, Hawthorne added: "There's a sadness to this but there are positives as well. I've been involved in racing for 40 years on and off and it's the way it is."

People can get involved and support the cause by buying memberships in Beep Beep Burrow for £60 via the website www.thegoodracing.co.

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