Arch, the sire of 11 grade I stakes winners, died Jan. 20 of an apparent heart attack, according to Bernie Sams, representative of Claiborne Farm near Paris, Ky., where the 21-year-old son of Kris S. stood at stud.
Produced from the Danzig mare Aurora and winner of the Super Derby (gr. I) for owner/breeders Claiborne and Adele Dilschneider, Arch sired 58 stakes winners, 11 grade I winners, four champions, and 34 graded stakes winners during his stud career that began in 1999, according to Claiborne. 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 I winner who ended Zenyatta's historic winning streak in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).
Additional grade I winners sired by Arch included Archarcharch , Pine Island, Hymn Book, Love Theway Youare, and Grand Arch. He also sired 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 .
"We are saddened by the loss of Arch," Sams said. "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 mixed sale by both gross and average, highlighted by the $700,000 sale topper. He was also the sale's leading covering sire.
Arch was to stand for a fee of $40,000 in 2016.