Gemologist, winner of the 2012 Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) and a Kentucky Derby (G1) starter, died July 16 in South Korea at age 15.
His death was reported on the Korean Stud Book's Obituary of Stallions. Cause of death was not provided.
The son of Tiznow was exported from America to South Korea in November 2021. He previously stood at WinStar Farm near Versailles, Ky., from 2013-18, and Acadiana Equine at Copper Crowne in Louisiana from 2019-21. His stud fee peaked at $25,000 in 2017.
Bred in Kentucky by G. Watts Humphrey Jr. and Louise Ireland Humphrey, Gemologist was out of the unraced Mr. Prospector mare Crystal Shard, a full sister to grade 2 winner Withallprobability. Crystal Shard had 12 foals. Gemologist was by far the best, but she also produced stakes winner Clear Destiny (Deputy Minister) and stakes-placed Perfect Cut (A.P. Indy).
The WinStar Farm partnership Maverick Racing purchased Gemologist as a weanling for $310,000 at the 2009 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale from Lane's End, agent.
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. Undefeated heading into the Kentucky Derby, he was sent off as the third choice at 8.60-1 odds but raced erratically and finished 16th behind I'll Have Another.
Gemologist raced one more time, finishing last of six in the Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1). He retired the winner of five of seven starts, with earnings of $794,885.
At stud Gemologist sired 2016 Frizette Stakes (G1) winner Yellow Agate, grade 2 winner Horologist, and grade 3 winners Miss Bigly and Theory. He also shuttled to Chile four seasons and produced grade 1 winner La Buena Vida and grade 3 winner Embalogist.
