Prominent Thoroughbred breeder Tom Gentry passed away Tuesday morning. He was 80 years old.
The son of industry staple Olin Gentry, Tom Gentry purchased his first horse for $3,000 as a 13-year-old and resold the broodmare for $20,000. He was made the youngest member ever of the Thoroughbred Club of America at the age of 16 and purchased GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. winner Kauai King (Native Dancer) at 24. He set a world record in 1979 when selling a yearling for $1.6 million and during the mid-1980s, Gentry periodically led the nation in breeding for the commercial market. He sold a $7 million yearling in 1985 and bred and sold multiple European champion Royal Academy (Nijinsky) for $3.5 million in 1988.
After watching Triple Crown winner Whirlaway (Blenheim {GB}) prep for the 1941 GI Kentucky Derby, Gentry made up his mind that he was going to become a horseman. He subsequently attended 72 consecutive Derbies.
In a span of 24 years, Gentry, bred, raced and sold 56 stakes winners. His mare Crimson Saint (Crimson Satan) was the grand dam of legendary sire Storm Cat and produced offspring that brought over $17 million in sales. He consigned and owned horses with many prominent figures, including President Jimmy Carter, Bing Crosby, Pat Riley, Bill Shoemaker and Wilt Chamberlain.
Gentry is survived by his two children, Kathleen Gentry Spears and Olin B. Gentry and his five grandchildren Thomas Edward Gentry Spears, Chase Lockhart Spears, Chance “Hoot” McKeever, Olin Gentry and Angela Gentry.
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