A group of six London Scottish members have started a racehorse syndicate called “London Scots for Doddie”. They now own a horse with trainer Lucinda Russell with all the subsequent winnings going to Doddie Weir’s Foundation for Motor Neurone Disease research.
Former Scotland international Doddie Weir announced in June that he had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and launched the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation to raise funds to investigate causes and potential cures for the condition. Since then the rugby community has rallied around the former Newcastle Falcon.
At the St Andrews Day Lunch event back in November, run by London Scottish at The Savoy, a group of members clumped together and decided they wanted to start the syndicate and give all the proceeds to Doddie’s Trust. Malcolm Offord, London Scottish Chairman said, “A group of us said, “why don’t we get a horse together?” Behindthelines seems a good name because it could describe the medical work and efforts going into the fight against diseases like MND.”
The horse they own is called ‘Behindthelines’. He is a six year old 16.2hands high, dark bay gelding by Milan. He made his bow at Kelso on Sunday 14th January and placed 3rd – a very promising start. Kelso seemed an appropriate place to for Behindthelines to make its debut for the syndicate as Weir played much of his club rugby for Melrose and now lives in the Borders. Aptly so, the jockey’s colours for the Kelso meeting and future meeting will be the London Scottish colours of blue and red.
The London Scottish members stood with Doddie Weir
Behindthelines is trained by Grand National winner Lucinda Russell who guided One for Arthur to victory at Aintree and both horses are by the sire Milan.
Behindthelines had previously run twice, before the Kelso meet, at Irish point to points and came second in a race at the end of October 2017. Trainer Lucinda Russell says that he looks to be a stayer so he will be entered into longer distance races. He also has the potential to jump fences in the future as well.
I’m sure everyone at London Scottish will now be closely tracking the progress of Behindthelines and will be hoping Lucinda Russell will be able to weave her magic and secure some wins at race meetings. It would not only be great to see a London Scottish-backed horse doing well but also for the fact that all the money raised is going to a truly fantastic cause.
