Champion Kentucky sire Harlan’s Holiday has died while on southern hemisphere duties in Argentina.  He was 14.

The WinStar Farm shuttler had to be put down at Haras Firmamento Farm in Mar de Plata.  He collapsed suddenly after an uneventful cover on Friday afternoon.

“It’s a horrible tragedy,” WinStar general manager Chris Baker lamented.  “There is some comfort in knowing that I was down there two weeks ago and found Harlan’s Holiday to be the picture of health and receiving the highest standard of care.”

Harlan’s Holiday (Harlan – Christmas in Aiken by Affirmed) was a black-type winner at two (G3 Iroquois Stakes), three (G1 Florida Derby & G1 Blue Grass Stakes) and four (G1 Donn Hcp).

At stud, Harlan’s Holiday was entering the prime of his career as one of the emerging top sires in North America.  He broke the juvenile earnings mark in 2012 with Eclipse Award champion and Breeders’ Cup winner Shanghai Bobby leading the way.

Group winners Hakeem, Ami’s Holiday and Poker Player highlighted his second crop this year.