Kiri’s Clown Euthanized at 25

Bob and Mary Sullivan’s 1995 GI Sword Dancer S. hero Kiri’s Clown (Foolish Pleasure–Kiri {GB}, by Kris {GB}), was euthanized at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital from complications following colic surgery announced Old Friends founder and president Michael Blowen Tuesday. One of the original residents at the Georgetown, Kentucky Thoroughbred Retirement Facility, the pensioned stallion was 25. Trained by Phil Johnson, the dark bay finished second in two other editions of the Sword Dancer as well as collecting wins in the GIII New Hampshire Sweepstakes H. (twice), GIII Knickerbocker H. and placing third in the GI Early Times Manhattan S. The Cobble View Stable runner retired at the end of his 7-year-old year with a mark of 62-16-6-8 and $1,005,469 in a 62-start career spanning six seasons. 

“I like all of our retirees, but there are a handful that I love. I loved Kiri,” said Blowen. “I’ll never forget the day he set the track record in the Sword Dancer at Saratoga in 1995 where I couldn’t get a seat. He was very intelligent and had the good fortune to be bred, raced, owned and retired by Mary Sullivan.” 

The son of champion juvenile and GI Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure stood in Kentucky at several different farms for nine seasons before being pensioned in 2006. Kiri’s Clown is the broodmare sire of MGISW Get Stormy (Stormy Atlantic) who is out of the mare Foolish Gal. Donated to Old Friends by the Sullivans, he took up residence next to his old Sword Dancer rival Awad. 

Blowen added, “We appreciate Dr. Scott Hooper and everyone at Rood and Riddle for doing their best to extend Kiri’s quality of life.”