Columbus, OH — Armbro Monarch, the Dan Patch, Nova, and O’Brien Award 2-year-old Trotting Filly of the Year in 1993, died of old age in Colorado on Oct. 8, 2019, according to Al Libfeld, the owner of the 28-year-old mare.

The daughter of Valley Victory-Armbro Flori was bred by Armstrong Brothers. She was purchased as a yearling for $25,000 at the 1992 Kentucky Standardbred Sale by Isabelle and Norman Vartanian.

Trained by Bill Robinson, in her freshman campaign Armbro Monarch won eight of 11 starts and earned $441,071 on her way to post-season hardware. Armbro Monarch’s victories included the $381,250 Merrie Annabelle at The Meadowlands. She was second in the $300,000 Goldsmith Maid.

Libfeld, Marvin Katz and Sam Goldband joined the ownership group for the filly’s 3-year-old season. In 1994, Armbro Monarch won eight of 12 races, banked $229,303 and set a mark of 1:54.3 at The Meadowlands.

Retired after that season, Armbro Monarch entered the broodmare ranks in 1995 for Libfeld and the Vartanians. Libfeld took over as the sole owner in late 2000. Armbro Monarch foaled 13 offspring, with 11 of her foals making it to the races, led by Duke Of York (Balanced Image) 3,1:55.4s ($882,528). He was the O’Brien 2-year-old Trotting Colt of the Year in 2001.