Champion stallion Zabeel will be buried alongside his sire Sir Tristram at Cambridge Stud with his tail facing the sunrise and his head towards the setting sun.

Stud proprietor Sir Patrick Hogan announced the death of the breed-shaping horse on Saturday.

The 29-year-old was retired from active service in late 2013 after he failed to get any of the mares he served in foal.

"He was a sire who excelled at the very highest level and was able to carry on where his own great sire Sir Tristram had left off," Hogan said in a statement.

"Zabeel contributed to the thoroughbred industry and excelled above all expectations and having enjoyed his retirement for the past few years he will be sadly missed by all here at Cambridge Stud.

"He will be buried alongside his sire Sir Tristram in the very same tradition, with his tail facing the sunrise and his head facing the sunset.

"Zabeel gave so many people through his progeny the greatest thrill of winning so many races at the highest level. He surpassed all stallions that have come before him, past and present in New Zealand.

"Four Cox Plates and three Melbourne Cups, what more can you say?"

Zabeel's last yearling sold at public auction went through the Karaka sale ring earlier this year.

ZABEEL STATISTICS

* Bay horse by Sir Tristram from Lady Giselle * Winner of the 1990 Australian Guineas when trained by the late CS Hayes * 44 individual Group One winners (one behind his own sire Sir Tristram) * He also produced Zabenz, a Grade One winner over jumps in America * Most recent horse to win a Group One Race: Preferment (2014 Victoria Derby)

* Melbourne Cup winners: Might And Power (1997), Jezabeel (1998), Efficient (2007)

* Cox Plate winners: Octagonal (1995), Might And Power (1998), Savabeel (2004), Maldivian (2008)