Archers Bay euthanized

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Archers Bay, who won the 1998 Queen's Plate for Toronto's Eugene Melnyk and Iris and Bill Bristow, was euthanized Thursday because of complications from colic surgery.

Archers Bay, a 7-year-old son of Silver Deputy out of Adorned, was stricken on Sept. 11, had an initial operation, and appeared to be making a recovery as recently as this week. But he had another bout with colic on Thursday night and couldn't be saved.

Archers Bay, a $120,000 Keeneland September yearling sale purchase, won the Plate and Prince of Wales Stakes in 1998 and was fourth in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes behind Coronado's Quest and Victory Gallop. He was named Canada's champion 3-year-old colt that season.

After a brief season at 4, which included a second-place finish in the Gulfstream Park Handicap to Behrens, he was retired to Windfields Farm in Oshawa, Ontario. His first crop of foals will be 2-year-olds of 2003.

Archers Bay will be buried on the Windfields property, across from the grave of Northern Dancer.