Northern Afleet euthanised at Taylor Made Stallions in Kentucky aged 25

Northern Afleet, a longtime resident at Taylor Made Stallions in Kentucky, was euthanised on Friday. The accomplished son of Afleet, known as a versatile sire and consistent source of winners, was 25 years old.

"Northern Afleet had experienced an episode of acute abdominal pain on Friday evening," said Dr Charles Scoggin in a statement. "He had been clinically normal and actively breeding up until this time."

Veterinary attention and treatment on the farm failed to resolve the pain. He was referred to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, where a team of specialists diagnosed him with severe gastrointestinal disease. He was subsequently euthanised.

"Northern Afleet was like part of the family at Taylor Made and he was truly a unique stallion within the industry,” said Ben Taylor. “Not too many stallions have sired a Classic winner and a Breeders’ Cup winner, not to mention numerous Grade 1 winners over varying surfaces and distances of ground.

"Northern Afleet was the definition of versatility and was always considered one of the best value stallions around. He provided every breeder the opportunity to produce a top-class racehorse, regardless of the quality of their mare."

Northern Afleet in numbers

14 Grade 1 winners

75 lifetime stakes winners

137 black-type performers

$75 million worldwide progeny earnings

As well as being the sire of 2017 Eclipse champion turf horse and Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile winner World Approval, Northern Afleet also sired Afleet Alex, champion three-year-old colt and winner of the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes; Amazombie, champion sprinter and Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner; and Negligee, Canadian champion and Grade 1 winner.

Northern Afleet also made his presence felt in the southern hemisphere where he shuttled to Stud TNT in Brazil and sired 2015 Brazilian Horse of the Year Barolo.

Additional standout runners sired by Northern Afleet include Denman’s Call, winner of the Triple Bend Stakes; and millionaires such as War Story, who captured last year’s Brooklyn Invitational Stakes, Big City Man, Teaks North, Evening Jewel and Kaigun.

Northern Afleet won the San Fernando Breeders’ Cup Stakes and the San Carlos Handicap, both Grade 2 races, and the Grade 3 San Diego Handicap for trainer David Hofmans, earning total prize-money of $626,671.

He was bred in Kentucky by Hermitage Farm and was campaigned by Gregg Anderson and Ronald Waranch.

Northern Afleet entered stud in 1999 at Double Diamond Farm in Ocala in Florida and was relocated to Taylor Made Stallions after Afleet Alex captured the 2004 Hopeful Stakes.

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