His integrity was never questioned. Ever
The harness racing world was saddened this week with the news that Charlie Armstrong had died at the age of 96. He had been in failing health for a number of years.
Armstrong was the patriarch of the Armstrong Bros. breeding and racing operation that closed in 2005. For more than 50 years, it was the flagship of the Canadian breeding industry and the second-leading Standardbred nursery in all of North America. The Armbro prefix was synonymous with quality.
It was under Armstrong’s watch that various members of the family made the decision to disperse. It was well known that he wanted to carry on but it was not to be.
No one realized at the time but that development 12 years ago was arguably the most significant change for Canadian harness racing aside from the Ontario government move to cancel the slots-atracetracks program in 2012.
Based at Inglewood just north of Brampton, the Armstrong operation held enormous clout on so many fronts. Quite simply, it provided leadership and a voice of reason on so many issues. Its departure left a cavernous void which has never been filled.
Armstrong was the patriarch of the farm following the passing of his father, Elgin, and uncle, Ted, who founded Armstrong Bros. in the 1940s. Aside from being one of the nicest people you could ever meet, he and farm manager Dr. Glen Brown guided the estate through the glory days of the sport.
There were many successes on the breeding front to the point that it was not uncommon to hear aspiring owners and trainers waiting for the day that they were in the financial position to buy an Armbro horse.
The family’s main business was the construction trade which was sold off in the 1970s, but the horses were always the passion. The farm was a showplace nursery unrivaled anywhere in this country today.
Armstrong had many endearing qualities, not the least being his judge of character. He forged some wonderful alliances, most notably with the late trainer, Bill Wellwood, and Jack, and son, John Kopas. The horses included Armbro Feather, Village Jiffy, Village Jig, Village Connection and many, many others.
In addition to the farm, Armstrong and his daughters ran their own small breeding nursery called Village Acres. Statistically speaking, it might have been the most productive breeding operation this country has ever seen. There was a small band of broodmares that always seemed to be in the forefront.
He served as a trustee of the Ontario Jockey Club (now Woodbine Entertainment) and the Hambletonian Society, North America’s largest administrative body for harness racing. He was accorded various honours including entry to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
It was during his time as helmsman that Armstrong Bros. partnered to operate the Kentucky Standardbred Sale, which was one of the world’s premier auctions for harness horses. It morphed into the Lexington Selected Sale where it continues to be a cornerstone of the game.
Harness racing terribly misses Armstrong Bros. and Charlie for their dedication to the sport and unwavering ability to seemingly always do the right thing. Their integrity was never in question, ever.
His passing brings to the end an era. Never again will Canada, and North America for that matter, have an entity like Armstrong Bros. was for half a century. The two were one of a kind.