Arch, sire of four champions, dies at 21 from apparent heart attack

Edited Press Release

Top sire Arch died January 20th of an apparent heart attack, according to Claiborne Farm representative, Bernie Sams.

The 21-year-old son of Kris S., out of Aurora, by Danzig, sired 58 stakes winners, 34 graded stakes winners, 11 Grade 1 winners, and four champions during his stud career, which began in 1999. His total progeny earnings were over $53-million.

Among the top runners sired by Arch, perhaps the most notable is champion Blame, a three-time Grade 1 winner and the spoiler of Zenyatta’s historic winning streak in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

Additionally, Arch sired Grade 1 winners, Archarcharch, Pine Island, Hymn Book, Love Theway Youare, and Grand Arch, whose victories included the Donn Handicap, Vanity, Arkansas Derby, Alabama, Shadwell Turf Mile, and Gazelle Stakes.

Arch’s influence as a sire extended well beyond the United States, as evidenced by the success of English champion Les Arcs; Canadian champion and Horse of the Year Arravale; and three-time South African sprint champion, Overarching

Additionally, Arch is the broodmare sire of popular young stallion Uncle Mo and I’ll Have Another, the 2012 champion 3-year-old following wins in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1).

On the track, Arch won five times for his owners, Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm, and was on the board in six of seven career starts. A winner in his 2-year-old debut at Keeneland, he returned the following year with decisive victories in the Super Derby (G1) and a track-record-setting performance in the Fayette Stakes (G3) at Keeneland, completing 9 1/2 furlongs in 1:53.87.

“We are saddened by the loss of Arch,” said Bernie 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.”

Arch was the leading sire at this year’s Keeneland January Sale by both gross and average, highlighted by the $700,000 sale topper. He was also the sale’s leading covering sire.

Arch stood for a fee of $40,000 at the time of his death.

Photo from Claiborne Farm website