Azeri (horse)
Encyclopedia
Azeri is an American Hall of Fame champion thoroughbred
racehorse who was 2002 US Horse of the Year and Champion Older Female from 2002 to 2004.
Donn Handicap
and the G1 Gulfstream Park Handicap
), who was a son of Mr. Prospector
. Azeri is the only starter out of the Ahonoora mare Zodiac Miss, who was bred in Australia by John Messara's Arrowfield Stud. She is a descendant of the family of 1999 Breeders' Cup Mile
winner Silic
(FR). Australian bloodstock agents Brian King and James Bester (with California-based agent Denny Boultinghouse) recommended Zodiac Miss to Paulson, and the filly was shipped to US to race for her new owner. At the end of her racing career, Paulson sent Zodiac Miss to the breeding shed. Paulson was an aerospace magnate (Gulfstream Aerospace) whose global investments included racehorses, casinos, and oil exploration. He also bred and raced Cigar
(Horse of the Year in 1995 and 1996), who ranks #2 on the North American all-time money-earners' list. Azeri was a buyback for $110,000 at the 1999 Keeneland September yearling sale
from the consignment of Jonabell Farm.
at Santa Anita
. She finished second, but the injury was career-threatening. Laura de Seroux recommended that she be retired, but Michael Paulson decided she could race again and turned her training over to Hall of Famer
D. Wayne Lukas
. In her first start for Lukas six months after her injury, Azeri won an unprecedented third consecutive Apple Blossom Handicap. She then lost three in a row, including the Metropolitan Mile in which she raced against colts for the first time. Lukas entered her in the Go For Wand Handicap
at Saratoga Race Course
, where she faced multiple-Grade 1 winner Sightseek
. The mares turned into the stretch together as track announcer Tom Durkin
yelled, "At the top of the stretch it's the two best mares in America!" Azeri crossed the finish line nearly two lengths ahead of Sightseek.
Azeri was an early favorite for the 2004 Breeders' Cup Distaff
but her handlers entered her in the Breeders' Cup Classic
, where she faced male horses for the second time. She finished fifth, behind Ghostzapper
.
Azeri was retired from racing in December, 2004. In 24 starts she won 17, finished second in 4 and was unplaced only three times. When Azeri was awarded the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
, she was only the third female to win since voting began in 1971 (the other two female winners of HOY were All Along
in 1983 and Lady's Secret
in 1986; both fillies defeated males in their HOY campaigns, but Azeri did not run against males until 2004). She was also named Champion Older Filly or Mare from 2002 to 2004. Azeri has a race named for her - the Azeri Stakes at Arkansas's
Oaklawn Park
for fillies and mares four years old and up.
for 2005, but delivered a chestnut colt by A.P. Indy
on February 14, 2007. This colt, Take Control, is the offspring of two Horses of the Year. He won his first race (a maiden special weights at Santa Anita) on December 30, 2009. She delivered a Giant's Causeway filly, Arienza (who broke her maiden March 6, 2011 in a six-furlong maiden special weights race at Oaklawn Park), in 2008 and a Ghostzapper filly, Wine Princess, in 2009.
Azeri stood at Hill 'n' Dale Farms
in Lexington, Kentucky
with other leading broodmares, including Silverbulletday
and Better Than Honour
(the dam of Belmont Stakes
winners Jazil
and Rags to Riches
). Azeri was sold to Japanese owners in fall 2009 and, as of 2011, resides at Japan's Northern Farm. On May 7, 2011 she foaled a chestnut colt by Zenno Rob Roy.
Azeri was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
in 2010.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse who was 2002 US Horse of the Year and Champion Older Female from 2002 to 2004.
Breeding
Azeri was bred and owned by Allen E. Paulson, who named her for an aviation checkpoint in Baku, Azerbaijan. She was sired by Jade Hunter (winner of the Grade 1Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
Donn Handicap
Donn Handicap
The Donn Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in late January/early February at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida.The race is named after the Donn family, who for many years owned and operated the racetrack....
and the G1 Gulfstream Park Handicap
Gulfstream Park Handicap
The Gulfstream Park Handicap is a race for thoroughbred horses run at Gulfstream Park each year. The race is open to horses age four and up, willing to race one mile on the dirt...
), who was a son of Mr. Prospector
Mr. Prospector
Mr. Prospector was a thoroughbred racehorse foaled in Kentucky, whose descendants have been dominant in the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. He won half of his 14 career races.-Background:...
. Azeri is the only starter out of the Ahonoora mare Zodiac Miss, who was bred in Australia by John Messara's Arrowfield Stud. She is a descendant of the family of 1999 Breeders' Cup Mile
Breeders' Cup Mile
The Breeders' Cup Mile is a Grade 1 Weight for Age stakes race for thoroughbred racehorses three years old and up, run on a grass course. It has been conducted annually as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships since the event's inception in 1984...
winner Silic
Silic
Silic is a French Thoroughbred racehorse who competed both in France and in the United States. His most notable win came in the 1999 Breeders' Cup Mile....
(FR). Australian bloodstock agents Brian King and James Bester (with California-based agent Denny Boultinghouse) recommended Zodiac Miss to Paulson, and the filly was shipped to US to race for her new owner. At the end of her racing career, Paulson sent Zodiac Miss to the breeding shed. Paulson was an aerospace magnate (Gulfstream Aerospace) whose global investments included racehorses, casinos, and oil exploration. He also bred and raced Cigar
Cigar (horse)
Cigar , is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse, who in 1995 and 1996 became the first American racehorse racing against top-class competition to win 16 consecutive races since the Triple Crown winner, Citation did so in 1948 and 1950...
(Horse of the Year in 1995 and 1996), who ranks #2 on the North American all-time money-earners' list. Azeri was a buyback for $110,000 at the 1999 Keeneland September yearling sale
Keeneland Sales
The Keeneland Sales is an American Thoroughbred auction house in Lexington, Kentucky founded in 1935 as a nonprofit racing/auction entity on 147 acres of farmland west of Lexington, which had been owned by Jack O. Keene...
from the consignment of Jonabell Farm.
Racing career
Originally trained by Simon Bray, Allen Paulson's son Michael (whose father died in 2000) transferred her to trainer Laura de Seroux in August 2001. Of Azeri Seroux said, "She didn't let anyone down, and she did it in great style. She's simply the fastest filly in the world now. You can't catch her early, and you can't catch her late". She won her first race (a six-furlong maiden race late in her three-year-old season) at Santa Anita on November 1, 2001 in the good time of 1:08.Injury and trainer change
After an 11-race winning streak, Azeri suffered a tendon injury while going for her 12th straight win in the Lady's Secret Breeders' Cup HandicapLady's Secret Breeders' Cup Handicap
The Lady's Secret Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually near the end of September during the Oak Tree Racing Association meet at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The race was run at Hollywood Park in 2010 due to impending work at Santa Anita Park...
at Santa Anita
Santa Anita
Santa Anita may refer to:*Metro Santa Anita, a station on the Mexico City Metro*Rancho Santa Anita, a 13,319-acre land grant given to Hugo Reid*Santa Anita, Baja California Sur, a village in Baja California del Sur, Mexico...
. She finished second, but the injury was career-threatening. Laura de Seroux recommended that she be retired, but Michael Paulson decided she could race again and turned her training over to Hall of Famer
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
D. Wayne Lukas
D. Wayne Lukas
Darrell Wayne Lukas is a former educator who became one of the most successful horse trainers in American Thoroughbred horse racing history and a U.S...
. In her first start for Lukas six months after her injury, Azeri won an unprecedented third consecutive Apple Blossom Handicap. She then lost three in a row, including the Metropolitan Mile in which she raced against colts for the first time. Lukas entered her in the Go For Wand Handicap
Go For Wand Handicap
The Go For Wand Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race established in 1954 for fillies and mares age three and up. Raced at the end of July/early August, it is a Grade II race on dirt at a distance of one and one-eighth miles .Inaugurated in 1954 at Belmont Park as the Maskette Stakes in...
at Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
, where she faced multiple-Grade 1 winner Sightseek
Sightseek
Sightseek is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse and current broodmare. She was bred and raced by Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms and was trained by Bobby Frankel....
. The mares turned into the stretch together as track announcer Tom Durkin
Tom Durkin
Tom Durkin is an American sportscaster and public address announcer specializing in Thoroughbred horse racing. He was the race caller for NBC Sports from 1984 through 2010....
yelled, "At the top of the stretch it's the two best mares in America!" Azeri crossed the finish line nearly two lengths ahead of Sightseek.
Azeri was an early favorite for the 2004 Breeders' Cup Distaff
Breeders' Cup Distaff
The Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares, 3 years old and up. Known as the Breeders' Cup Distaff from its inception in 1984 through 2007, it is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders'...
but her handlers entered her in the Breeders' Cup Classic
Breeders' Cup Classic
The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3 year olds and older run at a distance of 1¼ miles on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships...
, where she faced male horses for the second time. She finished fifth, behind Ghostzapper
Ghostzapper
Foaled in Kentucky on April 6 in the year 2000, the thoroughbred racehorse Ghostzapper won the Breeders' Cup Classic in 2004, outdistancing Roses in May by three lengths in a stakes record of 1:59.02...
.
Azeri was retired from racing in December, 2004. In 24 starts she won 17, finished second in 4 and was unplaced only three times. When Azeri was awarded the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
The American Award for Horse of the Year is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. It has been awarded since 1887 to the horse, irrespective of age, whose performance during the racing year is deemed the most outstanding....
, she was only the third female to win since voting began in 1971 (the other two female winners of HOY were All Along
All Along
All Along was a champion Thoroughbred racemare that was foaled in France. She was one of the top fillies of the last part of the 20th century, racing mostly in Europe.-Background:...
in 1983 and Lady's Secret
Lady's Secret
Lady's Secret was an American Eclipse Award winning Thoroughbred racemare that was listed in the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century.-Breeding and background:...
in 1986; both fillies defeated males in their HOY campaigns, but Azeri did not run against males until 2004). She was also named Champion Older Filly or Mare from 2002 to 2004. Azeri has a race named for her - the Azeri Stakes at Arkansas's
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
Oaklawn Park
Oaklawn Park
Oaklawn Park is an American thoroughbred racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is the home to The Racing Festival of the South.In 2009, the Horseplayers Association of North America introduced a rating system for 65 Thoroughbred racetracks in North America. Of the top Ten, Oaklawn was ranked...
for fillies and mares four years old and up.
As a broodmare
Michael Paulson retired Azeri in December 2004. She has foaled two colts and two fillies from sires A.P. Indy, Giant's Causeway, Ghostzapper (who defeated her in the 2004 Breeders' Cup Classic) and Zenno Rob Roy. In her first breeding season in Kentucky she was barren to Storm CatStorm Cat
Storm Cat was an American Thoroughbred stallion whose breeding fee during the peak of his stud career was $500,000, the highest in the world. As such, he was one of the few horses with a 24-hour armed guard....
for 2005, but delivered a chestnut colt by A.P. Indy
A.P. Indy
A.P. Indy is a champion stallion Thoroughbred racehorse bred in Kentucky, USA, by William Farish III and William Kilroy. He is known for his ancestry, his own record, and his successful progeny. He was sired by Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew through mare Weekend Surprise, who herself was sired...
on February 14, 2007. This colt, Take Control, is the offspring of two Horses of the Year. He won his first race (a maiden special weights at Santa Anita) on December 30, 2009. She delivered a Giant's Causeway filly, Arienza (who broke her maiden March 6, 2011 in a six-furlong maiden special weights race at Oaklawn Park), in 2008 and a Ghostzapper filly, Wine Princess, in 2009.
Azeri stood at Hill 'n' Dale Farms
Hill 'n' Dale Farms
Hill 'n' Dale Farms is a thoroughbred race horse breeding farm in Canada and the United States. It was founded in 1960 in Aurora, Ontario in 1960 by John Sikura, Jr., who died mysteriously in an unsolved 1994 car fire. The Canadian operation is now run by his son, R. Glenn...
in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
with other leading broodmares, including Silverbulletday
Silverbulletday
Silverbulletday is an American Thoroughbred Champion Filly racehorse. Bred in Kentucky, she was sired by Silver Deputy and out of the GII winning mare Rokeby Rose. Her damsire was Tom Rolfe, the 1965 Preakness Stakes winner and that year's U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Colt...
and Better Than Honour
Better Than Honour
Better Than Honour is an American thoroughbred mare racehorse, best known for her career as a broodmare. She is out of the Kentucky Oaks winner, Blush With Pride, by the sire, Deputy Minister...
(the dam of Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
winners Jazil
Jazil
Jazil is an American Thoroughbred racehorse.In 2006, Jazil dead-heated for fourth place in the Kentucky Derby but then won the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown.- Connections :...
and Rags to Riches
Rags to Riches (horse)
Rags to Riches is an American thoroughbred filly racehorse who in 2007 became the first filly to win the Belmont Stakes in over a century. She was sired by 1992 U.S. Horse of the Year and U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee A.P. Indy, who in turn was a son of 1977 U.S...
). Azeri was sold to Japanese owners in fall 2009 and, as of 2011, resides at Japan's Northern Farm. On May 7, 2011 she foaled a chestnut colt by Zenno Rob Roy.
Azeri was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
in 2010.
Age four (2002)
- 1st, Breeders' Cup DistaffBreeders' Cup DistaffThe Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares, 3 years old and up. Known as the Breeders' Cup Distaff from its inception in 1984 through 2007, it is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders'...
(G1) - 1st, Santa Margarita Invitational HandicapSanta Margarita Invitational HandicapThe Santa Margarita Invitational Handicapis an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race run annually in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California...
(G1) - 1st, Apple Blossom HandicapApple Blossom HandicapThe Apple Blossom Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run each year in early April during the Racing Festival of the South at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The Grade I race is open to Fillies and Mares, four years old and up...
(G1) - 1st, Milady Breeders' Cup HandicapMilady Breeders' Cup HandicapThe Milady Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at the end of May Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. The Grade II event is open to fillies and mares, age three and up, willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on Cushion Track synthetic dirt and offers a...
(G1) - 1st, Vanity HandicapVanity HandicapThe Vanity Invitational Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in July at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California....
(G1) - 1st, Clement L. Hirsch HandicapClement L. Hirsch HandicapThe Clement L. Hirsch Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run each year at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The race is open to filles and mares, age three and up, willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on Polytrack synthetic dirt...
(G2) - 1st, Lady's Secret Breeders' Cup HandicapLady's Secret Breeders' Cup HandicapThe Lady's Secret Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually near the end of September during the Oak Tree Racing Association meet at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The race was run at Hollywood Park in 2010 due to impending work at Santa Anita Park...
(G2) - 2nd, La Canada StakesLa Canada StakesThe La Cañada Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the second week of February at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California...
(G2)
Age five (2003)
- 1st, Apple Blossom Handicap (G1)
- 1st, Milady BCH (G1)
- 1st, Vanity Handicap (G1)
- 1st, Clement L. Hirsch Handicap (G2)
- 2nd, Lady's Secret BCH (G2)
Age six (2004)
- 1st, Apple Blossom Handicap (G1)
- 1st, Go For Wand HandicapGo For Wand HandicapThe Go For Wand Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race established in 1954 for fillies and mares age three and up. Raced at the end of July/early August, it is a Grade II race on dirt at a distance of one and one-eighth miles .Inaugurated in 1954 at Belmont Park as the Maskette Stakes in...
(G1) - 1st, Spinster Stakes (G1)
- 2nd, Humana Distaff HandicapHumana Distaff HandicapThe Humana Distaff Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually on the first Saturday in May as part of Derby Day at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky...
(G1) - 2nd, Personal Ensign HandicapPersonal Ensign HandicapThe Personal Ensign Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the third week of August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Open to fillies and Mares age three and older, it is contested at a distance of one and one-quarter miles on dirt .Since...
(G1)
Awards and honors
- National Museum of Racing and Hall of FameNational Museum of Racing and Hall of FameThe National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
(2010) - Eclipse Award for Horse of the YearEclipse Award for Horse of the YearThe American Award for Horse of the Year is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. It has been awarded since 1887 to the horse, irrespective of age, whose performance during the racing year is deemed the most outstanding....
(2002) - Eclipse Award for Outstanding Older Female HorseEclipse Award for Outstanding Older Female HorseThe Eclipse Award for Champion Older Female Horse is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor. The Daily Racing Form began naming an annual champion in 1936. Starting in 1950, the Thoroughbred Racing Associations began naming its own champion. The following list provides the name of the horses...
(2002, 2003, 2004) - Second-highest female money-earner in North America with $4,079,820 (first as of 2011 is ZenyattaZenyattaZenyatta is a retired American champion Thoroughbred racehorse, winner of 19 consecutive races in a 20-race career and American record-holder for consecutive victories without defeat in unrestricted races....
with $6,404,580)