Gemologist, winner of the 2012 Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1) starter, died on July 16 in South Korea at the age of 15.
His death was reported in the Korean Stallion Obituary. The cause of death was not provided.
The son of Tiznow was exported from the U.S. to South Korea in November 2021. He previously worked at WinStar Farm near Versailles, Ky., from 2013-18, and Acadiana Equine at Copper Crowne in Louisiana from 2019-21. His stud fees peaked at $25,000 in 2017.
Bred in Kentucky by G. Watts Humphrey Jr. and Louise Ireland Humphrey, Gemologist is the son of the unraced Mr. Prospector mare Crystal Shard, a full sister to Grade 2 winner Withallprobability. Crystal Shard has 12 foals. Gemologist is the best mare, but she has also produced the winner Clear Destiny (Deputy Secretary) and the winner Perfect Cut (AP Indy).
WinStar Farm’s Maverick Racing partner purchased Gemologist as a weanling for $310,000 at the 2009 Keeneland November Stud Auction from Lane’s End, a dealer.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Gemologist won his first five starts, including the 2011 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs and the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Racetrack. Unbeaten entering the Kentucky Derby, he was sent as the third choice at odds of 8.60-1 but raced unsteadily and finished 16th behind I will have another one .
Gemologist raced once more, finishing last in six in the Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1). He finished as the winner in five of his seven starts, earning $794,885 in prize money.
At the Gemologist stud spawned the 2016 Frizette Stakes (G1) winner Yellow Agate 2nd place winner watchmaker and the 3rd grade winner Miss Bigly And Theory He also went to Chile for four seasons and won first prize. Beautiful life and the 3rd grade winner Emba researcher.
