Preservationist, winner of the 2019 Woodward Stakes (G1), died in South Korea July 19. He was 12.
The death was first reported by Paulick Report, which cited Korea Racing Authority records. The cause of death was not listed.
Bred by Emory Hamilton and owned by Centennial Farms, Preservationist was 6-1-2 from 11 starts and banked $1,084,550.
He was a late developer, who debuted at 3 but didn't run in his first stakes race until his 6-year-old campaign. After three allowance optional claiming races, the son of Arch won the 2019 Suburban Stakes (G2) by 4 1/2 lengths.
Preservationist returned to the track with a fourth in the Whitney Stakes (G1) before he overcame Bal Harbour and Tom's d'Etat down the stretch of the Woodward for a half-length triumph. His final race came in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1), which saw him finish fourth.
He retired to Airdrie Stud for the 2020 breeding season and called the farm near Midway, Ky., home until he arrived in South Korea in December 2024.
His top runner to date is the multiple graded stakes-placed 3-year-old Chunk of Gold, most recently runner-up in this year's Ohio Derby (G2). The colt, who has earned nearly $500,000 in his career, was a contender in the Kentucky Derby (G1), where he finished ninth. Preservationist is also the sire of 2024 Peter Pan Stakes (G3) winner Antiquarian, who returned as a 4-year-old in 2025 to finish second in the Suburban Stakes (G2) and Blame Stakes (G3).
