Azeri, Astra to be Sold as Part of Paulson Trust Settlement

Allen E. Paulson Living Trust's Horse of the Year candidate Azeri and multiple grade I winner Astra will be sold at public auction in 2003 as part of the remaining disperal of the trust's bloodstock. An out-of-court settlement to sell the trust's remaining bloodstock interests was reached Dec. 9 between co-trustees Michael Paulson and Dr. Nicholas Diaco.

Azeri will be sold at the Barretts Equine Limited Select 2-year-olds in training sale at Fairplex Park in March, while a decision is yet to be made where Astra will be sold.

Emmanuel de Seroux of Narvick International said the decision of where to sell Astra would be determined by whether or not she will bred in 2003.

"Astra is already in Kentucky, but no breeding plans have been made. Obviously, if she is bred then she will sell at Keeneland and if she is not then it will be Barretts. A final decision will be made soon," de Seroux said.

Millionaire Astra was retired in September because of a respiratory infection. The 6-year-old daughter of Theatrical retired with 11 wins from 16 career starts. She earned $1,378,424.

The Barretts sale will feature around 20 Paulson Trust-owned racehorses and foals of 2000. Eddie Woods, agent, will consign the horses to Barretts.

Lane's End, agent, will consign the Keeneland horses. Nine yearlings will be consigned to the 2003 Keeneland September yearling sale while 22 mares will be sold during Keeneland November. An undetermined number of 2003 foals will also be sold during Keeneland November. The Paulson Trust currently has 17 mares in foal.

Stallion interests will be retained by the trust and sold privately at a future date.

Michael Paulson, son of the late Allen Paulson, had petitioned the court to allow the trust to continue. However, Diaco asked for the immediate sale of the remaining Paulson horses. Allen Paulson, who died July 19, 2000, requested all his bloodstock be dispersed upon his death.

According to Michael Paulson's petition, a total of 68 horses are still owned wholly or in part by the Allen Paulson Living Trust. Allen Paulson, who won four Eclipse Awards, owned interests in at least 225 horses at the time of his death, according to court documents.

The last Horse of the Year winner to be sold at public auction was Lady's Secret, who was purchased by Fasig-Tipton for $5.4 million during the sale company's 1987 Night of the Stars auction.