Sandra with Sugar

This picture appeared in this paper on June 16, 2014. The Għasri local council had decided to honour our lovely Sugar by naming a race after her in the Għasri feast horse races. She had been resident in the village for 25 years.

Sadly, Sugar died on April 22, having spent the last 27 years entertaining generations of children. Put simply, she was the ‘meeter and greeter’ to visitors at the main entrance to Għasri.

Sugar was everybody’s friend; young, old, local or foreign. She had friends who regularly journeyed from Malta to see her and brought her apples or carrots.

She had repeat visitors from abroad who sought her out during their stay in Gozo.

Sugar certainly gave back to those who befriended her much more than she was given and she went into overdrive on the three nights of the festa when hundreds of people queued to see her and pat her, especially the children. To us and to many others, Sugar was not just merely a horse but a delightful companion.

We were deeply touched by the several floral tributes and notes and by the sorrow expressed by so many villagers at Sugar’s loss. We thank all those who helped us, especially Vestru Farrugia, John Attard and Anġlu Mercieca, our neighbours and all those who stood by their front doors, including council officials, waving their last goodbye to Sugar.

A villager expressed herself by saying that “a light has gone out in the Għasri village”.

The Sugar Cup race, which this year will be held on June 12, will be a joyous occasion for all those who loved Sugar.

We were very fortunate to find Sugar in 1989 and privileged to have been able to share her with so many other people for so long.

Farewell Sugar, you were the best.