Beyer Sire Performance Standings: Big results from low-cost Northern Afleet
There is little doubt that Northern Afleet has amassed a fine résumé at stud.
The 23-year-old son of Afleet has sired a dual-classic winner in Afleet Alex, a champion sprinter in Amazombie, and a Brazilian Horse of the Year in Barolo.
However, Northern Afleet’s commercial appeal is limited, leading his stud fee to be set at $6,500 by Taylor Made Stallions. For those looking to breed a runner, or bet on one by the stallion, the price could be right.
Northern Afleet was the only stallion advertised for a fee of less than $10,000 to be represented in 2016 by 10 or more runners with at least one 90-plus Beyer Speed Figure.
Of his 184 runners last year, 13 horses met or surpassed that threshold a combined 34 times. In total, 7 percent of his runners hit the 90 Beyer threshold at least once in 2016.
Northern Afleet’s number of 90-plus runners tied him with pricier stallions More Than Ready ($60,000) and Harlan’s Holiday (deceased, last stood for $35,000).
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Leading the way for Northern Afleet’s runners was World Approval, who earned a 106 Beyer in winning the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park by 1 1/4 lengths. He also notched a 105 in a third-place effort in the Grade 1 Manhattan Stakes and a 103 as the runner-up in the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes.
World Approval was one of three horses by Northern Afleet to turn in a Beyer of 100 or more last year, with that group achieving the mark a combined seven times.
Brazilian-bred Baccelo achieved one of those triple-digit Beyers when he won the Grade 3 Philip H. Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park with a 102, and Kaigun rounded out the trio with a winning 101 in the Grade 2 Pan American Stakes at Gulfstream. Both horses also earned an additional triple-digit Beyer in losing efforts.
Northern Afleet nearly had a fourth horse join the 100-plus club last year when War Story won the Queens County Stakes at Aqueduct with a 99 Beyer.
:: Read the full 2017 Kentucky Sires and New Stallions supplement ::