STALLION OF THE WEEK
JULY 30
by Jennifer Caldwell
Northern Afleet leaves his mark
It was only a matter of time before NORTHERN AFLEET (Afleet)
had his first graded stakes winner. On Thursday, Afleet Alex gave
his sire that much anticipated first victory when taking the
Sanford S. (G2) at Saratoga in stakes record time. The juvenile
colt, who is now perfect from three lifetime starts, just did
what seems to come natural to Northern Afleet foals — he won.
Northern Afleet displayed the same winning attitude during
four seasons of racing, taking the San Fernando Breeders’ Cup S.
(G2), San Carlos H. (G2) and San Diego H. (G3) in 1997. That year
also saw him finishing a close third, just a length back of
winner Langfuhr, in the Metropolitan H. (G1). He retired in 1998
with $626,670 in earnings from a 21-5-3-5 career mark.
A half-brother to Grade 1 winner Tap To Music (Pleasant Tap),
Northern Afleet is out of the unraced Nureyev mare Nuryette. The
18-year-old mare is herself a half to 1990 Hollywood Starlet S.
(G1) victress, Cuddles (Mr. Prospector).
Northern Afleet has produced three crops of racing age so far.
His foals have shown an affinity for finishing first, doing so at
a 40 percent rate.
Among the bay horse’s most successful offspring is
Unforgettable Max, who captured two starts as a juvenile before
taking on graded rivals as a three-year-old. The bay colt, a full brother to the
Sanford winner, posted
his closest finish against stakes company in the Discovery H.
(G3), only a nose back of multiple Grade 2 victor During
(Cherokee Run).
Unforgettable Max actually finished first in the Frisk Me Now
S. earlier this year, but was disqualified to fifth. So far this
season he has placed in the General George H. (G2), Tom Fool H.
(G2), Jim McKay Breeders’ Cup H. and Salvator Mile H. (G3), with
the last coming on Sunday.
Northern Afleet is also represented by the sophomore Saint
Afleet, who captured the Sunshine Millions Dash S. at Santa
Anita, and this year’s Brooks Field S. hero, Native Hawk. To
date, his progeny have earned $2,620,182.
The nine-year-old stallion’s foals are a bargain in the sales
rings. Last year saw two weanlings sell for an average $11,500
and seven yearlings go for an average $14,986. For this year,
three yearlings have brought an average of $7,667. His
two-year-olds do sell for a bit more, with a lifetime total of 16
juveniles bringing an average of $65,844.
Northern Afleet, who is the co-leading second crop sire by
stakes winners in Florida, stands at Double Diamond Farm near
Ocala in the Sunshine State for a live foal fee of $5,000.