Armbro Goal euthanized at 28 in Denmark

The 28-year-old Armbro Goal 3, 1:54.3 ($1,442,022), the winner of the 1988 Hambletonian, has been euthanized in Denmark. He was a royally-bred colt who seemed destined to win the Hambo. His father Speedy Crown won the Hambletonian, as did his grandfather Speedy Scot, and his mother, Armbro Flight, was a daughter of 1953 race winner Helicopter.

Bred by Armstrong Bros., Armbro Goal was purchased as a yearling for $125,000 at Tattersalls by Continental Farms. He raced in North America for owners Michael Caggiano, Eugene Cates, Jim Plate and Paul Ryan although on the eve of the Hambletonian he was sold for $2.5 million to Swedish breeder and owner Tomas Bertmark, who would take control of the colt at the end of the season.

Another change for Armbro Goal before the Hambletonian was his driver. He had been driven regularly by Berndt Lindstedt, a partner in Continental Farms, but with John Campbell having a hot hand, he was tapped to drive the colt. Campbell didn't exactly need any magic to win as he put Armbro Goal on the front and they controlled the race from start to finish in two heats. Lindstedt drove Supergill in the race.

Armbro Goal won 11 of 13 starts at age three, and in addition to the Hambletonian he captured the Beacon Course, World Trotting Derby and Canadian Trotting Classic. He was retired to stud duty at Castleton Farm in Lexington, Ky., but after two seasons was moved to the newly created Castleton Farm of New Jersey at Stanley Dancer's farm in New Egypt. The move was because of New Jersey's superior sires stakes program.

Armbro Goal's first crop sired in Kentucky included 1993 Hambletonian Oaks winner Winky's Goal 3, 1:54.4 ($844,924). He also sired 1999 Oaks winner Oolong 3, 1:54.4 ($744,086) along with free-for-aller Fool's Goal ($3,057,070), Legendary Lover K ($1,716,136) and the top French sire Defi d'Aunou, via frozen semen. As a broodmare sire his contribution to the breed is immense thanks to his daughter Lawn Tennis, the dam of Credit Winner.

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