Afternoon Deelites descends from Damascus on his sire’s side and Secretariat on his dam’s.
Raced by composer Burt Bacharach and conditioned by Richard Mandella, the West Virginia-bred went from his victorious first start right into stakes company, polishing off The Hollywood Prevue Breeder’s Cup (G3), then drawing away from Thunder Gulch to take the G1 Hollywood Futurity. At three, Afternoon Deelites continued his winning streak in the San Vicente (G3) and stretching out to two turns in the San Felipe (G2). He prevailed in the Malibu S (G1) at Santa Anita, and at four won the Commonwealth Breeders’ Cup H at Keeneland.
Always piloted by Kent Desormeaux, Afternoon Deelites earned $1,061,193 lifetime and won 7 of his 12 starts. He stood at Airdre Stud for much of his breeding career, then at Clear Creek Stud in Louisiana.
Old Friends is grateful to Val Murrell of Clear Creek for the privilege of retiring him to our Kentucky farm. Afternoon Deelites’ top progeny were graded stakes winners Zappa, Three Hour Nap and Miss Pickums, but he also has the rare distinction of having sired a movie star—our very own Seabiscuit ‘actor’ Popcorn Deelites.
Winnings:
12 Starts: 7 - 3 - 0, $1,061,193
Racing History:
At 2 Won Hollywood Futurity -G1, Hollywood Prevue Breeders’ Cup S. -G3
At 3 Won San Felipe S. -G2, Malibu S. -G1, San Vicente Breeders’ Cup S. -G3; 2nd Santa Anita Derby -G1
At 4 Won Commonwealth Breeder’s Cup Handicap -G2; 2nd Strub S. -G1, Metropolitan Handicap -G1
At Stud:
Airdrie Stud/KY 1997-2003; standing at Clear Creek Stud, LLC. in Folsom, LA.
2006: Sidelined from stallion duty for the year after a bad reaction to a strangles vaccination.
2011 fee: $3,000
Joined Old Friends:
2011