Grade 1 Winner, Sire Geri Euthanized at 27

Grade 1 winner Geri was euthanized May 25 at Park Equine Hospital in Versailles, Ky., due to complications from colic.  

Geri was pensioned to Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Ky., in 2013. The stallion was 27.

The son of Theatrical—Garimpeiro, by Mr. Prospector, was among nine stallions repatriated from overseas stud duty by the non-profit organization. He arrived back in the United States from Italy. 

Raced as a homebred by Allen Paulson and trained by Bill Mott, Geri entered the spotlight with his victory in the 1996 Creme Fraiche Handicap (G3) at Gulfstream Park. The chestnut colt earned his first top-level win later that year in the Oaklawn Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn Park.

Geri went on to capture the Woodbine Mile Stakes at Woodbine and the Citation Handicap (G2T) at Hollywood Wood Park in 1997. He also finished second in that year's Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) at Hollywood Park. Retired from racing with a total of nine wins, he earned $1,707,980.

As an international sire Geri was well represented by the multiple stakes-winning mare Bedanken, Japanese millionaire Lucky Break, and Pennsylvania champion steeplechaser Party Airs. He was also the sire of A. P. Slew, another Old Friends retiree.

"Geri's handsome countenance offered an insufficient disguise for his deep-seated toughness," said Old Friends founder and president Michael Blowen. "He knew who he was. He was even smart enough to tell us when his time had come. We will miss him terribly. Our thanks to Madeleine Paulson for supporting him and other great Paulson Thoroughbreds throughout the years."