Armstrong is set for that final flourish

13 April 2012

Able native, who lines up for Lingfield's 4.20 race today, is among the last runners Robert Armstrong will have before he signs off at the end of the season.

His St Gatien stable at Newmarket, one of the oldest in the racing town, is in form and it would be no surprise if the the bay filly, whose only previous victory this term came over course and distance at the Surrey track in June, helped give Armstrong a suitable send-off.

To illustrate the well-being of the yard's inmates, Modrik, running in the colours of Armstrong's long-time patron Hamdan Al Maktoum, produced a sparkling win for the team at Doncaster on Saturday.

Armstrong, brother of Lester Piggott's wife Susan, will be missed. His past winners read like an equine Who's Who, with dashing sprinters Moorestyle and Mujtahid, plus Never So Bold and Maroof among them.

The son of legendary handler Sam Armstrong, family tradition decreed he should take over from his famous father, although four wheels - fast ones - appeared more attractive to him than four legs at one time. His heroes were Jim Clark and John Surtees.

Sam Armstrong moved into the historic St Gatien yard from Warren Place where he trained for the Maharajah of Baroda, for whom he won the 1947 St Leger with Sayajirao and the 1948 2,000 Guineas with My Babu.

Later, a heart attack meant Sam relying on his son to assist him and make his ambition of training for 50 years a reality.

When Sam retired, Robert had 11 years as a pupil under his belt and once again speed was of the essence for a young man who had a hard act to follow. Armstrong junior came through and collected even more horse-power along the way.

Mujtahid, once ante-post favourite for the 2,000 Guineas was the typical Robert Armstrong horse - like his cars, very fast. He produced an electrifying performance to beat Mac's Imp in the 1991 July Stakes.

Armstrong has inspired loyalty during his career, just like his father. Alistair Veitch, his head man, has served the family for 43 years, while his assistant, former lightweight jockey Ray Still, has also four decades of service. Russell Price, who rides Able Native, has also been connected with the yard for a long time.

One of the best-dressed men on the racecourse, the silvery-haired supremo is a devotee of all the more fashionable spots of the south of France and will have even more time to give to his hobby of driving high-performance motors.

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Armstrong is set for that final flourish

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