New Yorker finds real horsepower at car auction

It wasn't that long ago that horses were still the primary mode of transportation in this country. So perhaps it shouldn't have been that surprising to see a Thoroughbred sold at a car auction in Long Island last week.

That's right -- car auction.

The horse's name is Sheza Heartbreaker, appropriate considering the sale took place on Valentine's Day, according to this article in Tuesday's New York Post.

Sheza Heartbreaker, a 5-year-old mare with three victories in 28 career starts, sold for $16,000 to local businessman Peter Vitulli. Three others bid aggressively on the low-level claimer.

[MORE: View Sheza Heartbreaker's lifetime past performances]

From the Post: "The Kentucky-bred racehorse’s previous owner, indebted trainer John Toscano, said he lost his best mare to Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings earlier this year. The horse was a surprise addition to the Valentine’s Day auction, which otherwise included cars. Mother Nature cursed Heartbreaker with a bad ankle, Toscano added, but she’s a solid racer when given enough rest. 'She's got a bad ankle but she has some heart,' he said."

According to her PPs, Sheza Heartbreaker has finished in the money 18 times, with six of those coming in 10 turf races. From April through October last year, she finished no lower than fourth in eight turf races at Aqueduct and Belmont. Her career earnings are $102,271.