Leading lady Azeri retired from racing
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Arcadia, CA (Sports Network) - Former Horse of the Year Azeri has retired from racing. The six-year-old mare was voted Horse of the Year in 2002.
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World number one Justine Henin has pulled out of the San Diego tournament starting on July 30 because of a sprained wrist, according to a statement on her Web site (www.justine-henin.be).
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Grand Prairie, TX (Sports Network) - Former Horse of the Year Azeri will run against the boys Saturday in the Breeders&#39; Cup Classic.
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Spanish rider Joseba Beloki, who finished second in the Tour de France behind Lance Armstrong in 2002, announced his retirement on Friday.
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Serena Williams ends the run of India's Sania Mirza at the Australian Open.
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Mia Hamm, who is to women's soccer  what Pele was to the men's game, retired from competition  Wednesday, having inspired a generation of young girls while  leading the United States to Olympic and World Cup titles.
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A choreographer who inspired her company and a dancer who inspired audiences is retiring from the stage after a pioneering career.
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Michael Schumacher, the most successful driver in Formula One history, announced his retirement on Sunday.
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Elmont. NY (Sports Network) - Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone has been retired because of a bone chip in his left front ankle. The announcement was made on Wednesday by the husband of owner Marylou Whitney.
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Lia Roberts, the former chairwoman of the Nevada Republican Party, has withdrawn from the presidential race in her native Romania.
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Dual Olympic judo medallist and former world champion Kate Howey has announced her retirement at the age of 31.
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NEW YORK The horse that spoiled &quot;Smarty Jones&#39;&quot; bid for the Triple Crown is being retired from racing. Belmont Stakes winner &quot;Birdstone&quot; was retired today after chipping a bone in his left front ankle during the Breeders&#39; Cup Classic.
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Punters and bookmakers alike have been caught on the hop after star American trainer D. Wayne Lukas revealed that Azeri is to tackle the $4m Breeders&#39; Cup Classic in Texas this Saturday.
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Russian opposition figure and former chess star Garry Kasparov abandons plans to run for the presidency.
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Legendary Russian swimmer Alexander Popov has retired from swimming, according to French newspaper L&#39;Equipe. The four-time Olympic gold medallist has not confirmed his retirement but has admitted he is unlikely to ever race again.
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Birdstone, who denied Smarty Jones the Triple Crown by beating him in the Belmont Stakes, has been retired from racing due to an ankle injury his connections announced Wednesday.
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Race leader Konica Minolta and defending champion Skandia retired from the Sydney to Hobart yacht race to leave Nicorette in front with 124 miles left.