He raced against the very best, upset Lonhro in his last race and when he won, he won big

Quality racehorse, Grand Armee garnered substantial recognition throughout his illustrious career, achieving seven notable victories at the highest level. Grand Armee was a dominant force in Sydney in the early 2000s, claiming seven Group One races and delivering trainer Gai Waterhouse and owner Alan Bell more than $5 million in prize money. However, he may be remembered as the horse that decisively defeated Lonhro by a significant margin of six lengths in "The Black Flash's" final race. Despite the sluggish start, there were justifications for the champion. However, given Lonhro's commanding position among his peers, it is perhaps unsurprising that the narrative of that day has consistently focused on the defeated rather than the victor, Grand Armee. Lonhro's much-hyped farewell to racing at Royal Randwick resembled a wake after the champion galloper was thrashed by the Gai Waterhouse-trained gelding.

Grand Armee was sired by shuttle stallion Hennessy, (Storm Cat) by Tambour ex Marauding. One of the few sons of Storm Cat to stand in Australia and from a relatively unusual dam’s pedigree, Hennessy had little precedent in Australia for breeders to follow. The sire previously travelled from Coolmore's US Ashford Stud in Kentucky to the Hunter Valley between 1997-2001. A Group one winner at two, he narrowly lost the Group one Breeders' Cup Juvenile to Unbridled's Song.

With regular jockey Darren Beasley aboard Grand Armee experienced a sensational 2005 autumn when he was the real champion of Sydney racing, and even though defeated by the rampaging Makybe Diva, Grand Armee demonstrated exceptional ability and achieved victories in distinguished races. Notably, he secured a Gr.1 Doncaster win by a significant margin of three-and-a-half lengths. Furthermore, the horse showcased his prowess in Melbourne by claiming a Gr.1 Mackinnon victory by an impressive four-length advantage.

The gelding was remarkable in various eminent races, including a five-length victory in the Ranvet, a half-length triumph in the Queen Elizabeth, and a dominant six-length conquest in the other QEII, which was initially anticipated to be taken out by the classy Lonhro. Additionally, the gelding narrowly missed securing a BMW victory, falling short to a formidable mare named Makybe Diva. This remarkable gelding undoubtedly gains merit for his outstanding achievements. Grand Armee’s final race was an unplaced run in the QEII Cup at Sha Tin in Hong Kong alongside Elvstroem. The race meeting ended in chaos as hundreds of race fans were crushed in a surge to claim special souvenirs marking the victory of Australian-bred Silent Witness.

A decision was made to retire Grand Armee before the start of his seven-year-old season after respiratory problems were revealed following a barrier trial. The top class galloper was named NSW Racehorse Owners Association's 'Champion Horse of the Year' in 2005 then competed in dressage and was retired to Tim Boland's Limitless Lodge on the Central Coast in NSW. Seven time Group One-winner Grand Armee died peacefully in his stable aged 18 in 2017. 

RACE RECORD - 31:13-10-3

EARNINGS - A$5,328,065

Ajax Stakes (2003)

Doncaster Handicap (2003)

George Main Stakes (2004)

Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2004, 2005)

LKS Mackinnon Stakes (2004)

Chipping Norton Stakes (2005)

Ranvet Stakes (2005)

Apollo Stakes (2005)