J. Michael Paulson, by Marion Altieri
May 5, 2007
J. Michael Paulson
Executor, the Allen E. Paulson Living Trust
Horseman
Michael Paulson, Executor of the Allen E. Paulson Living Trust, is one of the most accomplished—and most gifted—men in racing history. If he never raced another horse, he has one tremendous victory on his spiritual resume: he took his Father's homebred, Azeri, to the greatest heights possible. Without his insight and vigilance, Azeri would not have achieved all she did. She would not have been acknowledged as Horse of the Year for 2002, and smashed records and expectations at every turn.
Not because she didn't have the raw talent, but because a lesser man would have buckled to societal pressure to treat her as "just another female Thoroughbred." He knew that fillies and mares are every bit as capable as colts and adult male horses. And Azeri, he saw, was not "just another Thoroughbred."
Michael and I became acquainted in 2004, when I called to ask his permission and cooperation: I was obsessed with writing the authorized story of Azeri's life and career, and the tale of his renowned Father (who'd bred her) and Michael's own tale, that of a son who steps up to the plate to honor his late Father's wishes.
We got to know each other: I met Michael and Azeri the day she raced (and won!) the Go for Wand here in Saratoga (August 1, 2004). I wept like an Oscar winner when I met her, throwing my arms around her thick, muscular neck. And Michael, for some reason, thought this was an indicator of a writer who could actually write (like a girl?)—a passionate, beautiful book about his Horse of the Year.
He said yes; I got to work and, in the process—we became fast friends. I love Michael Paulson as if he were my own brother. I could not possibly love or admire the man more. Azeri is my all-time favorite Thoroughbred, hands-down. I'd throw myself in front of a bus for her. These two beings changed my life forever, not just because Azeri's book is my first, but because of all we went through together on the journey.
And the man who administers his Father's estate, who juggles so many balls gracefully, intelligently and with great care for all beings concerned—this man, J. Michael Paulson—is one of the greatest humans I've ever known, or met for that matter. He endured great scrutiny and unfair criticism when he "dared" to race Azeri after her championship year (2002). When other owners would shuttle their great mare off to make babies, and cash in on her success—Michael was duty- and love-bound to take her as far as she wanted to go. To step up to challenges that have sent other owners skittling back into the corner, terrified that their Champion might not be up to the task.
Michael knows and loves Azeri as much as any Father loves his child. He knew her, and he knew that she would tell him when she was ready to retire from the track. Every move he made, every decision with which he wrestled, was tempered by his desire to honor his Father's wish to take her as far as she wanted to go—and by his profound love and respect for Azeri, herself.
By the end of her career, she'd become the highest-earning female Thoroughbred in the history of the Sport. I'm grateful that I was present the day she hit that mark in the Go for Wand. She'll be inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 2009, and take her place among other great names in Thoroughbred racing: Ruffian, Busher, Seattle Slew, Alydar.
And all because this one man, this man of steel and soul, confidence and commitment—knew that, regardless of what his critics said—he had a heavenly mandate to make history.
If Michael is remembered for anything, he must be admired and emulated because he didn't look at Azeri and see a female Champion: he sees his gorgeous mare with otherworldly talents as a Champion, period. Her gender is irrelevant to this man who lives and works in a Sport which, sadly, still relegates female horses to the back of the bus.
And, like others who refuse to accept the status quo, the conventional "wisdom"—J. Michael Paulson fought, tooth-and-nail, with grace, aplomb, inner peace and an almost unnerving quietude, refusing the wisdom in the conventional, underlying misogyny that runs rampant in our Sport.
If you meet him at the track, please thank him: Michael and Azeri tore down walls and opened doors of opportunity and encouragement for millions of fillies and mares in the future. And all because love knows no gender bias, and love does, indeed, "seek not its own good," but considers what's best for others. |
