Horse Of The Year Azeri Brings $2.25 Million

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Horse of the Year Azeri brought $2.25 million Tuesday in the opening session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.

Shunsuke Yoshida purchased the 11-year-old mare in foal to Distorted Humor on behalf of his family's Japan-based Northern Farm.

"We didn't expect we'd be able to buy this mare," Yoshida said. "We just kept on bidding. She will go to Japan. She is a beautiful mare, of course, and had a really good race result."

John G. Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farm consigned Azeri on behalf of the Allen E. Paulson Living Trust, who campaigned her to a 17-4-2 record from 24 lifetime starts and earnings of more than $4 million.

Later, at the Fasig-Tipton one-night November mixed sale, Holiday Runner brought a final price of $2.15 million from Frank and Jane Lyon of Summer Wind Farm. Consigned by Baccari Bloodstock, the 9-year-old stakes-winning daughter of Meadowlake was produced from the Dixieland Band mare Dixie Holiday.

Azeri, who was named champion older mare in 2002, 2003 and 2004 and earned Horse of the Year honors in 2002.