Champion and Dual Classic Winner Afleet Alex Dies at 24

[Wandering Eyes]

Afleet Alex (Northern Afleet–Maggy Hawk, by Hawkster), the 2005 Champion 3-Year-Old Male and winner of both the GI Preakness and GI Belmont Stakes, was euthanized on Feb. 6 due to the infirmities of old age. He was 24.

Afleet Alex will be buried at Gainesway.

Retired to stud at Gainesway in 2006, he remained as a resident pensioner since 2022.

Bred in Florida by John Martin Silvertand, Afleet Alex won by 11 1/4 lengths at Delaware Park before being purchased by Cash is King LLC and moved into the barn of trainer Timothy Ritchey.

An impressive 5 1/4-length winner of the GII Sanford Stakes, he then took the GI Hopeful Stakes before closing his season with a runner-up finish in the GI Breeders' Cup' Juvenile.

Afleet Alex punched his ticket to the GI Kentucky Derby with an eight-length victory in the GII Arkansas Derby, then he finished third on the First Saturday in May.

Afleet Alex took the GI Preakness Stakes, delivering one

of the most iconic performances in Triple Crown history. In the stretch, Afleet Alex clipped heels with rival Scrappy T causing him to stumble badly. Despite nearly falling to his knees, Afleet Alex recovered and powered down the Pimlico stretch to win by 4 3/4 lengths.

Afleet Alex then confirmed his status as the top 3-year-old of his class in the GI Belmont Stakes, scoring by seven lengths. That effort secured him the Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old male of 2005.

“Afleet Alex's Preakness Stakes remains one of the most incredible displays of athleticism and heart I have ever seen. He passed that same determination and talent down to his offspring,” said Gainesway owner Antony Beck. “A true champion in every sense and his presence at the farm will be deeply missed.”

Afleet Alex retired to Gainesway in 2006, where he proved to be a versatile sire over 15 seasons. He sired over 50 stakes winners with progeny earnings surpassing $54.8 million. His

stallion career was highlighted by the 2010 GI Travers Stakes, where three runners from his debut crop ran in the 'Midsummer Classic', including winner Afleet Express.

He also sired Breeders' Cup winners Texas Red (Juvenile) and Afleet Again (Marathon), as well as Canadian Champion Skywire (Canada). Other top-level performers included Grade I winners

Iotapa, Materiality, Sharla Rae, and Dublin.

As a broodmare sire, his daughters have produced Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston, along with Grade I winners Practical Move, Dream Tree, and Goal Oriented.

Beyond the racetrack and his stallion career, Afleet Alex's most significant legacy is his partnership with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. His success on the track helped raise millions of dollars and national awareness for childhood cancer research in honor of Alex Scott. Years later he remains synonymous with the cause and continues to provide hope for children and their families.

“Afleet Alex was truly a horse of a lifetime. From his first race at Delaware Park to his triumph in the Belmont Stakes, he defined class and pure athleticism,” recalled his owner, Charles Zacney. “Off the track, his affiliation with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation was transformative; Liz Scott credits much of their success to him. It was a special era, and we'll forever cherish the ride and the memories. He will be deeply missed.”

 

 

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