Claiborne stallion Arch (Kris S.–Aurora, by Danzig) died Jan. 20 of an apparent heart attack, farm representative Bernie Sams announced Thursday.
“We are saddened by the loss of Arch,” said Sams. “He was a classy stallion who had the ability to sire top class horses that performed well both on the track and in the auction ring.”
The 21-year-old, who stood his entire career at Claiborne starting in 1999, was responsible for no fewer than 34 graded stakes winners, eleven Grade I winners and four champions. His progeny earnings exceed $53 million.
Arch's leading earner was Blame, who was 2010's champion older male after annexing a trio of Grade I races, including the Breeders' Cup Classic over Horse of the Year Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire}). He entered stud at Claiborne in 2010. Arch's other Grade I winners include Archarcharch, Pine Island, Hymn Book, Love Theway Youare, and Grand Arch, who annexed the 2015 GI Shadwell Turf Mile S.
Internationally, Arch was represented by English highweight sprinter and dual Group 1 winner Les Arcs; Canadian Horse of the Year Arravale; and three-time South African sprint champion Overachieving.
Arch also sired the dam of GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. hero I'll Have Another (Flower Alley); and the dam of champion juvenile and 2015's record-setting freshman sire Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie).
Trained by Frank Brothers on behalf of Claiborne and Adele B. Dilschneider, Arch posted a 7-5-1-0 record on the track, highlighted by a victory in the 1998 GI Super Derby and a track record-breaking tally in that year's GIII Fayette S. Bred in Kentucky by H. Alexander and H. Groves, the $710,000 Keeneland July yearling earned $480,969. He was a great grandson of blue hen Courtly Dee, and his second dam was champion 3-year-old filly Althea. He was also a half-sister to Grade I winner Acoma (Empire Maker).
Arch stood for a fee of $40,000 at the time of his death.
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