Old Friends resident Geri, a grade 1 winner, euthanized at 27

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (WTVQ)- Grade I winner Geri was euthanized May 25 at Park Equine Hospital in Versailles due to complications from colic.

Geri had been a retiree at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, KY., since 2013. The stallion was 27.

Geri was among nine stallions repatriated from overseas stud duty by the non-profit organization. He arrived back in the U.S. from Italy.

Raced as a homebred by Allen E. Paulson and trained by Bill Mott, Geri (Theatrical-Garimpeiro, by Mr. Prospector) entered the spotlight with his victory in the 1996 Grade3 Creme Fraiche Handicap. The chestnut colt earned his first Grade 1 later that year in the Oaklawn Handicap.

Geri went on to capture the Woodbine Mile and the Citation Handicap in 1997 before finishing his career with a total of nine wins and earnings of $1,707,980.

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