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.
"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."
