Robert Armstrong, trainer of champions Moorestyle and Never So Bold, dies at 77

Former Newmarket trainer Robert Armstrong, who trained two European champions in the latter half of last century, died after a short illness on Friday 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 licence-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 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in 1994.

In 1980, Moorestyle became the top-rated horse in Europe after Group 1 triumphs in the July Cup, Prix de l'Abbaye and Prix de la Foret as well as Group 2 victories in the Haydock Sprint Cup and Challenge Stakes at Newmarket.

Moorestyle and Lester Piggott win the 1980 Prix de L'AbbayeCredit: Mark Cranham

Five years later, Never So Bold received the same accolade after scoring three times at the highest level in the King's Stand Stakes, the July Cup and what is now known as the Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

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.

ROBERT ARMSTRONG CV

Full name Robert Walter Armstrong

Born Leeds, January 15, 1944

Father Sam Armstrong (1904-82) Newmarket trainer

Assistant to Sam Armstrong 1962-72

Stables St Gatien, Newmarket 1973-2000

First winner Latin Melody, Warwick, April 9, 1973, ridden by Willie Carson

First Pattern winner Sparkler (1973 Lockinge Stakes)

Overall European champion (official ratings) Moorestyle (1980; also champion 3yo, champion sprinter)

Other European champion Never So Bold (sprinter 1985)

Other British champions Moorestyle (older horse 1981), Mujtahid (juvenile 1990)

Moorestyle's Group 1 wins 1980 July Cup, Prix de l'Abbaye, Prix de la Foret, 1981 Prix de la Foret (also won 1980 Free Handicap, Haydock Sprint Cup, Challenge Stakes, 1981 Prix Maurice de Gheest, Diadem Stakes, Challenge Stakes)

Never So Bold's Group 1 wins 1985 King's Stand Stakes, July Cup, Nunthorpe Stakes (also won 1983 Great St Wilfrid Handicap, 1984 Prix de la Porte Maillot, Prix Maurice de Gheest, Diadem Stakes, 1985 Temple Stakes)

Coronation Cup winner Be My Native (1983)

International Stakes winner Shady Heights (1988)

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Maroof (1994 at 66-1)

Prix du Moulin winner Sparkler (1973)

Premio Roma winner Noble Saint (1979)

Tattersalls Rogers Gold Cup & Bayerisches Zuchtrennen winner Shady Heights (1988)

Grand Prix Prince Rose & Stockholm Cup winner Prima Voce (1983)

Middle Park Stakes winner Mattaboy (1980)

Fillies' Mile winner Invited Guest (1986)

Classic runners-up Moorestyle (1980 Poule d'Essai des Poulains), Mattaboy (1981 2,000 Guineas)

Only winner over jumps Dollymixture Boy, Southwell, August 27, 1984

Last winner Modrik, Doncaster, October 21, 2000

Most prolific Pattern winners Moorestyle (9), Never So Bold (7)

British Pattern wins 36

Most prolific Group 1 winners Moorestyle (4), Never So Bold (3)

Group 1 wins 13

Highest position in trainers' championship 6th in 1980

Most wins in a British season 51 in 1974

Total wins in Britain 737 (736 on Flat, 1 over jumps)

Compiled by John Randall