Campaigned by Rick Pitino's Ol' Memorial Stable (formerly Celtic Pride Stables) and trainer Nick Zito, A P Valentine (
out of the Alydar mare Twenty Eight Carat) was a leading 2-year-old of 2000 having captured that year's Gr. 1 Champagne Stakes.
The following year the colt broke the 1/16 miles track record at an optional claiming race for 3-year-olds and upwards at Hialeah Park before embarking on the Triple Crown trail, where he placed second to Point Given in the 2001 Preakness Stakes.
A P Valentine was retired from racing in 2001 to Ashford/Coolmore Stud but was soon pensioned due to unresolvable fertility problems.
In 2004, A P Valentine was pensioned with veterinarian Dr. William C. Day, a stallion reproductive specialist based in in
Brenham, TX. While preparing to sell his farm, Dr. Day retired the horse to Old Friends earlier this year.
"I loved that horse. He was very kind, very gentle," said Dr. Day. "
I have about 30 stallions on the farm, and he was by far the most affectionate. He didn't have an evil bone in his body."
"I first noticed A P Valentine before his Preakness Stakes because his silks were white with a green shamrock and he raced for Rick Pitino's Celtic Pride Stable," said Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen. "As a longtime Celtics fan, I rooted for him as if he was Larry Bird. When he came here to Old Friends, it was love at first sight for virtually all of our volunteers and employees."
