Ronald Waranch, who raced Southern California grade II winners Northern Afleet and Saint Afleet, died Jan. 6 at age 78.
Waranch campaigned Northern Afleet with real estate development partner Greg Anderson. Northern Afleet won the 1997 San Fernando Breeders’ Cup Stakes (gr. II) and the San Carlos Handicap (gr. II).
Northern Afleet achieved greater renown as a stallion. He sired 2005 champion and dual classic winner Afleet Alex .
For Waranch, Northern Afleet not only sired homebred Saint Afleet but also homebred added-money winner Afleet Eagle. Saint Afleet’s big win came in the 2005 Palos Verdes Handicap (gr. II). Afleet Eagle, trained by Vladimir Cerin, captured the 2009 Oceanside Stakes on grass at Del Mar.
“I trained for him more than 20 years,” Cerin said. “He fired me four times, and he’d usually take me out to breakfast when he did it. One time I asked him if he could fire me first, so we could order. We became close friends through the years.”
Waranch’s other stakes winners as a breeder and/or owner included Will O Way, who won the 2009 California Oaks for Waranch and David and Holly Wilson.