A fond farewell to Golden Hoard, Ingleside

We are sad to report that two of the stable’s former Summer Cup winners had to be humanely euthanised last week, yet we’re also pleased that they lived long and happy lives.

Golden Hoard (aged 30) and Ingleside (aged 29), were put to sleep at Graham and Sue Armstrong’s Sandstone farm in Rosetta, Mooi River, well known as a retirement home for former track stars. They’d both been living in the tranquil Sandstone paddocks for over 20 years.

December 2022: Sue Armstrong with Golden Hoard (above) and Ingleside (below).

Golden Hoard (1993: All Fired Up – Zillionaires by Lombard) raced for Mike de Kock and partners. He won seven races and placed 15 times. His wins include the G1 SA Guineas, G1 Summer Cup (then Premier’s Cup, in 1998), also the G1 Nissan Challenge and the G1 Champion Stakes. He finished second and third in two respective Durban July Handicaps and 2^nd in the G1 Daily News.

Ingleside (1994: Dolpour – Josey Wood by Foveros), raced for Bernard Kantor. He beat Horse Of Year Free My Heart in the 2001 Champions Cup and later that year defeated stablemate Badger’s Coast (the J&B Met winner), in the Summer Cup. He won 12 races in total, placed 15 times.

Graham Armstrong commented: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank you most sincerely for entrusting us here at Sandstone with your special champs for so many years. We were indeed privileged to have been able to care for them all that time, they were a joy to have in our yard and will be sorely missed. Golden Hoard’s teeth were badly worn and he was losing condition. We had no choice but to put him down.”

Mike reflected: “Both Golden Hoard and Ingleside were truly special horses. Golden Hoard was especially dear to my heart, he was one of the first champions that came through my yard in the mid-1990s and paved the way for others to follow. I am happy that they were looked after so well, for so long. Every racehorse deserves to retire with dignity and in good care.”

JJ The Jet Plane and Mr Flood are two other well-known names who reside at Sandstone and are both in good health.

JJ The Jet Plane with Everisto, his handler during his entire international career.
He enjoyed a happy reunion with ‘JJ’ on the farm recently.