Deal to Send Azeri to Storm Cat Nearing Completion

The deal to send Azeri to the court of Storm Cat is nearly completed. Azeri, who was retired in late December with the title North America's leading-money earning female, raced for the Allen Paulson Living Trust.

"I made a reservation on a season, but haven't signed the contract," said Michael Paulson, who heads his late father's trust that raced Azeri. "It's pretty well done, and we'll go with that. That's what the plans are, and it will be official once I sign the contract."

Storm Cat, a Northern Dancer grandson whose fee of $500,000 is the world's highest, stands at the Young family's Overbrook Farm near Lexington.

"Mr. Paulson has been sent a contract, and we assume he intends to follow through with his intention," said Overbrook advisor Ric Waldman.

A 7-year-old daughter of Jade Hunter out of the Ahonoora mare Zodiac Miss, Azeri earned three championships, including 2002 Horse of the Year. She is a finalist for champion older female for 2004. Azeri retired with 17 wins from 24 starts and earnings of $4,079,820.

The resultant foal from a Storm Cat/Azeri mating will result in a 3 x 5 inbreeding to Northern Dancer. Jade Hunter as a broodmare sire is represented by nine stakes winners. None is by Storm Cat, but three are by Northern Dancer line stallions.