malvern burroughs
Hailing from New Jersey, Malvern C. “Mal” Burroughs epitomized the term "self-made man," forging his path in life with the guidance of the Seton Hall Seminary, an institution to which he generously donated his amateur driving fees. As a young man, Burroughs borrowed $8,000 to acquire a second-hand dump truck, paving the way for a booming construction business. His company played a pivotal role in the excavation of the World Trade Towers site and the creation of the Meadowlands racetrack in the northern New Jersey marshlands—a venue that would later connect him to the racing world.
In the 1970s, Burroughs transitioned into horse ownership and by the early 1980s he had begun competing as a driver in the Billings Amateur Series. As his stable grew, he enlisted Hall of Famer Jimmy Takter as a full-time trainer, marking a turning point in his success. In 1982, he and his wife Barbara acquired Malabar Farms in New Jersey, solidifying their presence in the harness racing scene.
The Burroughs-Takter partnership yielded impressive results, notably with the filly Gleam, who earned over $580,000. In 1994, Burroughs himself drove Gleam to victory in the Hambletonian Oaks, the premier race for trotting fillies.
Their achievements reached new heights with Hall of Famer Malabar Man. This Supergill–Lady Love McBur homebred faced initial challenges in 1996 as both horse and owner overcame serious obstacles. Malabar Man battled foot issues, while Burroughs underwent heart surgery. Nonetheless, the horse triumphed, winning 13 races as a two-year-old, including the Breeders Crown, and securing divisional champion honors.
In 1997, Malabar Man’s three-year-old season was nothing short of legendary. The colt captured the prestigious Hambletonian title for Burroughs, who became only the second amateur driver to win the race. Malabar Man also claimed victories in the Breeders Crown and the Orsi Mangelli Trot in Italy and was named Horse of the Year. These triumphs, alongside Gleam’s Oaks win, placed Burroughs among the elite group of drivers who achieved the “Hambo double” - and the only amateur to do so.
Beyond racing, Burroughs devoted himself to advancing the sport by contributing to organizations such as the Hall of Fame, the Hambletonian Society, and the Harness Horse Youth Foundation. He also continued his long-standing support of the Seton Hall Seminary, an institution that shaped his early years.
Mal Burroughs passed away on September 20, 2024, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in both racing and community service.