Former Newmarket Trainer Armstrong Dies at 77

Former Newmarket trainer Robert Armstrong, who trained two European champions in the latter half of the last century, died after a short illness Feb. 5 at the age of 77.

Armstrong, who was Lester Piggott's brother-in-law, came from a famous family dynasty first founded by his grandfather Bob, who set up training in 1885. It was continued by his father Sam from whom Robert took over in 1973.

During his 27 years as a license-holder until his retirement in 2000, Armstrong was best known for his handling of top sprinters Moorestyle and Never So Bold at his St Gatien Stables yard in the 1970s and 80s and in later years was famed for training 66-1 chance Maroof to land the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) at Ascot Racecourse in 1994.

In 1980, Moorestyle became the top-rated horse in Europe after group 1 triumphs in the William Hill July Cup, Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp, and Prix de la Foret as well as group 2 victories in the Vernons Sprint Cup and Bisquit Cognac Challenge Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse.

Five years later, Never So Bold received the same accolade after scoring three times at the highest level in the King's Stand Stakes (G1), the Norcros July Cup (G1), and the William Hill Sprint Championship (G1) which is now known as the Nunthorpe Stakes at York Racecourse.

At about that time, Armstrong received the patronage of Hamdan Al Maktoum for whom he trained successfully until stepping down in 2000.

The owner's racing manager Angus Gold said: "It's very sad news. Robert was a wonderful man to me personally and he had a very good relationship with Sheikh Hamdan.

"We enjoyed a lot of good times together and he was a very easy man to deal with. He was a fascinating man to be around and was a very generous host and a great trainer to boot."

He added: "Mujadil and Mujtahid were probably the best he trained for us as well as Maroof who was an underrated horse. There certainly was no fluke about the way he won the QEII that day." 

Following his retirement from training, Armstong and his wife Jane moved to Jersey where they ran a business in later years.

As well as his wife, Armstrong is survived by his sister Susan Piggott and nieces Tracy Piggott and Maureen Haggas.