Azeri leaves tremendous legacy

The richest distaffer in Thoroughbred racing history has been retired.

AZERI

(Jade Hunter), who was named Horse of the Year in 2002 and earned more than $4

million, will now begin her next career as a broodmare in Kentucky. The Michael

Paulson-owned six-year-old won 17 of 24 starts, including an amazing 11 Grade 1

victories.

Bred in the Bluegrass State by the late Allen Paulson, Azeri won 15 of her

first 16 races under the direction of trainer Laura de Seroux, including tallies

in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) and back-to-back editions of the Apple Blossom

H. (G1), Vanity H. (G1) and Milady Breeders' Cup H. (G1). She was sidelined near

the end of 2003 by an injury and sent to Kentucky to recuperate. At that point,

many, including de Seroux, thought the talented chestnut's career was over. But

Azeri still had plenty to offer.

Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas became her new trainer over the winter as Azeri

returned to training in California and she finally made it back to the races in

April's Apple Blossom, squaring off against a strong group of rivals with scores

of skeptics waiting to condemn her connections for not retiring her. Instead,

Azeri put on dazzling performance, leading wire to wire in authoritative style

to record an unprecedented third straight Apple Blossom. Her return to the

winner's circle at Oaklawn Park was met with a rousing, standing applause.

Azeri went on to win the Go for Wand H. (G1) and Spinster S. (G1) this year

and concluded her stellar career with a game fifth-place showing against males

in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Her official line reads 24-17-4-0,

$4,079,820.