Leeds Rhinos, Good Racing Launch Rob Burrow MND Drive

Key Points

• Leeds Rhinos rugby league club and The Good Racing Company have announced a year-long partnership to raise funds and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) causes, honouring the legacy of former Rhinos player Rob Burrow.
• The partnership promotes key events and fundraising initiatives to each other’s fanbases, supporting Rob and Lindsey Burrow’s favoured MND charities.
• Launch event: The Good Racing Company sponsors Leeds Rhinos’ match against York Knights at AMT Headingley Stadium on Friday, 20 February 2026, featuring references to the Rob Burrow Racing Club.
• Rob Burrow Racing Club, established in 2020 by Phil Hawthorne, has donated £210,000 to MND charities to date, inspired by Rob Burrow’s diagnosis and his words: “Every single day is precious, don’t waste a moment.”
• Membership options include individual annual membership at £49 (95p per week) and corporate at £777, with proceeds to charities like Challenging MND.
• Benefits for members: membership pack, Leeds Rhinos matchday special offer, exclusive experiences such as stable visits in York, VIP race days, priority access to racedays, audience events, socials, charity events, family fun days, and competitions.
• The club’s horse, Don’t Waste a Moment, a three-year-old Flat racer trained by Ivan Furtado at Eboracum Racing Stables near York, has had three runs and shows promise.
• The Good Racing Company manages ten horses across clubs and syndicates; standout is Alfa Kellenic, winner of six consecutive races including the Ayr Silver Cup.
• Statements from Rob Oates, Managing Director of Leeds Rhinos, and Lindsey Burrow, ambassador for The Good Racing Company, emphasise cross-sport collaboration to continue Rob’s fundraising efforts.
• Partnership channels Rob Burrow’s fighting spirit from rugby league into racing, creating a collective movement for MND awareness and support.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) February 7, 2026 – An innovative partnership between Leeds Rhinos rugby league club and The Good Racing Company aims to raise vital funds and awareness for MND causes, keeping the legacy of Rob Burrow central to both rugby league and horse racing communities. This year-long collaboration promotes fundraising initiatives across fanbases, launching with The Good Racing Company sponsoring the Rhinos’ match against York Knights at AMT Headingley Stadium on 20 February.​

What Is the New Partnership Between Leeds Rhinos and The Good Racing Company?

The partnership unites two sports passionately supported by Rob Burrow – rugby league and horse racing – to sustain his campaigning work. As detailed in the official announcement, Leeds Rhinos and The Good Racing Company will cross-promote events, giving supporters new ways to honour Burrow’s efforts on and off the pitch.​

Rob Oates, Managing Director of Leeds Rhinos, stated:

“Together, The Good Racing Company and Leeds Rhinos are giving supporters a dynamic, cross-sport platform to celebrate Rob’s life and help more families affected by MND in his name. We hope every matchday or raceday is a fresh opportunity to continue the amazing fundraising that Rob and Lindsey inspired.”​

This initiative builds on Burrow’s extraordinary courage following his 2020 MND diagnosis, transforming personal tragedy into communal action.​

Who Was Rob Burrow and Why Does This Partnership Honour His Legacy?

Rob Burrow CBE, a Leeds Rhinos legend, lived with MND from 2020 until his passing, becoming a tireless campaigner for awareness and research. The Rob Burrow Racing Club embodies his mantra:

“Every single day is precious, don’t waste a moment,”

which drives its mission.​

Established in 2020 by Phil Hawthorne, a rugby league and racing enthusiast, the club was created specifically to fundraise for Burrow after his diagnosis. To date, it has donated £210,000 to MND charities, channelling Burrow’s determination into a movement supporting affected families.​

Lindsey Burrow, Rob’s widow and an ambassador for The Good Racing Company, remarked:

“Rob was passionate about two sports: rugby league and horse racing. It’s great to see Leeds Rhinos and The Good Racing Company teaming up to champion Rob’s legacy across both sports and continue his efforts to raise funds and awareness.”

Her involvement underscores the personal stakes, as the Burrow family has benefited from charities like Challenging MND.​

How Does the Rob Burrow Racing Club Operate and What Are Its Membership Options?

The Rob Burrow Racing Club offers affordable entry into charitable racing. Individual annual membership costs £49 – equivalent to 95p per week – with all proceeds directed to the Burrow family’s chosen MND charities, including Challenging MND, which provides financial support, grants, and experiences for those living with the disease.​

Corporate membership stands at £777, enabling businesses to engage teams and clients in a meaningful cause. Members follow the three-year-old Flat racer Don’t Waste a Moment, trained by Ivan Furtado at Eboracum Racing Stables near York. The gelding has completed three runs, with The Good Racing Company expressing confidence in his potential for the upcoming season.​

Phil Hawthorne, founder of The Good Racing Company, envisioned the club as a way to harness racing’s excitement for philanthropy, directly inspired by Burrow’s fighting spirit.​

What Benefits Do Members of the Rob Burrow Racing Club Receive?

Membership perks blend sport, community, and exclusivity. New members get a membership pack and a Leeds Rhinos matchday special offer, tying into the partnership.​

Exclusive experiences include stable visits in York, VIP race days as an owner with access to the owners’ enclosure and parade ring alongside the jockey and trainer. Additional privileges encompass priority access to The Good Racing Company (TGRC) racedays, Audience With events, socials, charity events, family fun days, and competitions.​

These offerings create memorable, engaging days, uniting people through sport’s power while generating positive impact, as per the company’s ethos.​

What Is the Launch Event and Its Significance?

The partnership debuts at Leeds Rhinos’ match against York Knights on Friday, 20 February 2026, at AMT Headingley Stadium, with The Good Racing Company as official sponsor. The day will highlight the Rob Burrow Racing Club, introducing its charitable racing concept to Rhinos supporters and commercial partners.​

This high-profile fixture – eagerly anticipated in rugby league circles – provides a platform to amplify MND messaging amid a passionate crowd. It marks the first tangible cross-promotion, blending stadium energy with racing’s thrill to sustain Burrow’s fundraising momentum.​

Who Is Don’t Waste a Moment and What Is His Racing Outlook?

Don’t Waste a Moment, named after Burrow’s poignant words, represents the club’s flagship horse. The three-year-old gelding trains under Ivan Furtado at Eboracum Racing Stables near York and has raced three times, gaining valuable experience.​

The Good Racing Company anticipates strong progress in the season ahead, viewing him as a promising talent. His story personalises the club’s mission, turning every race into an opportunity for awareness and donations.​

How Does The Good Racing Company’s Broader Portfolio Support This Initiative?

The Good Racing Company oversees ten horses across its clubs and syndicates, establishing a solid track record. Its biggest success is Alfa Kellenic, who achieved six consecutive wins, culminating in the Ayr Silver Cup.​

Founded by Phil Hawthorne, the company innovates in charitable racing, expanding reach through partnerships like this one with Leeds Rhinos. This portfolio bolsters credibility, ensuring the Rob Burrow Racing Club benefits from professional management and proven fundraising results.​

Why Is This Cross-Sport Collaboration Important for MND Causes?

MND remains a devastating, incurable disease, and Burrow’s campaign spotlighted its urgency, raising millions nationally. This Leeds Rhinos partnership extends that reach into racing, a sport Burrow adored, creating hybrid events that engage diverse audiences.​

By leveraging matchdays and racedays, it fosters sustained support for charities like Challenging MND, which aids families with practical and emotional relief. Rob Oates highlighted its potential: every event becomes “a fresh opportunity to continue the amazing fundraising that Rob and Lindsey inspired.”​

What Charities Benefit from the Rob Burrow Racing Club Funds?

Proceeds primarily support Rob and Lindsey Burrow’s favoured MND charities, with Challenging MND prominent. This organisation delivers financial grants, support, and memorable experiences to MND patients and families, including the Burrows, who express deep gratitude.​

The £210,000 donated thus far demonstrates tangible impact, funding research, care, and advocacy in line with Burrow’s vision.​

How Can Supporters Get Involved?

Fans can join the Rob Burrow Racing Club via individual or corporate memberships through The Good Racing Company’s website (https://thegoodracing.co/rob-burrow-racing-club/). Attending the 20 February match offers an immediate entry point, with promotions onsite.​

Leeds Rhinos supporters and racing enthusiasts alike are encouraged to participate, turning shared passions into lasting change. Lindsey Burrow’s endorsement reinforces the call: this is about championing a legacy across sports.​