Mor Spirit, a Grade 1–winning Thoroughbred who competed in the 2016 Kentucky Derby, passed away on February 1 in South Korea at the age of 13, according to official records maintained by the Korea Racing Authority (KRA). At the time, the stallion had recently arrived in the country ahead of his planned debut breeding season.
The Korea Racing Authority database confirms the date of passing but does not provide additional details regarding the circumstances. This aligns with standard international racing authority practices, which often limit publicly released information to verified records.
International Move Before His Final Season
Mor Spirit arrived in South Korea on November 13, following several years standing at stud in the United States. His relocation marked the next phase of an international breeding career that had already produced successful runners in North America and abroad.
Prior to his export, Mor Spirit stood his first seven seasons at stud in the United States, beginning in 2019 at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky, one of the country’s most prominent Thoroughbred breeding operations. He later spent two seasons at Swifty Farms in Indiana before being sold to Korean interests.
Breeding and Early Development
Mor Spirit was bred in Pennsylvania by the Elkstone Group, a well-known breeding and racing operation. As a young prospect, he attracted significant attention at public auction.
In 2015, Mor Spirit was purchased for $650,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, one of the most competitive juvenile sales in the Thoroughbred industry. Following the sale, he entered the care of trainer Bob Baffert and raced for owner Michael Lund Petersen.
Racing Career Highlights
Mor Spirit began his racing career as a two-year-old and showed steady development throughout his juvenile season. He recorded his first victory at Santa Anita Park, winning his maiden race by 4½ lengths. He then traveled to Churchill Downs, where he finished second in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes.
Returning to Southern California, Mor Spirit secured his first top-level success with a victory in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity, establishing himself as a leading contender among his generation.
Road to the Kentucky Derby
As a three-year-old, Mor Spirit competed on the Kentucky Derby trail, a demanding series of graded stakes races designed to identify the top horses of the crop.
He began his campaign with a win in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes, followed by second-place finishes in both the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes and the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. These performances earned him sufficient qualifying points to secure a place in the 2016 Kentucky Derby field.
2016 Kentucky Derby Performance
In the Kentucky Derby, Mor Spirit started at odds of 12-1 under Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens. During the race, he traveled wide around the turns and finished 10th, behind eventual winner Nyquist.
While he did not place in the Derby, his participation in the race added to an already accomplished résumé and confirmed his standing among elite Thoroughbreds of his generation.
Success as an Older Horse
Following his three-year-old season, Mor Spirit returned to competition at age four and transitioned successfully into high-level middle-distance and mile races.
During this phase of his career, he recorded victories in:
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The Essex Handicap (listed stakes)
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The Grade 3 Steve Sexton Mile Stakes
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The Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, one of the most prestigious one-mile races in North America
These achievements demonstrated his versatility and durability as a racehorse beyond the classic season.
Retirement and Career Earnings
Mor Spirit retired at the conclusion of his four-year-old campaign with:
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6 wins from 14 starts
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Total career earnings of $1,668,400
His retirement to stud followed a racing career marked by graded stakes success, consistency, and competition at the highest levels of the sport.
Stud Career and Progeny Performance
As a stallion, Mor Spirit established a solid record both domestically and internationally. According to published breeding statistics:
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He has five crops of racing age
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His offspring include 159 individual winners
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Combined progeny earnings exceed $14.8 million
These results reflect his ability to transmit athleticism and competitiveness to his offspring across different racing jurisdictions.
Notable Offspring
Among Mor Spirit’s most accomplished progeny is Velocitor, winner of the 2023 Prince of Wales Stakes, the second leg of Canada’s Triple Crown.
In Asia, his leading runner is Chancheng Glory, a Group 3 winner in Hong Kong who also finished second in the 2023 Korea Cup, one of the region’s premier international races.
These achievements highlight Mor Spirit’s impact as a sire beyond North America.
Legacy in Thoroughbred Racing
Mor Spirit’s career represents the path of a modern international Thoroughbred: success on the track, a productive stud career, and influence across multiple racing regions.
From graded stakes victories in the United States to producing high-quality runners in Canada and Asia, his legacy is supported by official racing records and performance data.
Conclusion
Mor Spirit’s passing at age 13 marks the conclusion of a notable career in Thoroughbred racing and breeding. His accomplishments as a Grade 1 winner, Kentucky Derby participant, and productive sire remain documented through official racing authorities and stud records.
While his time in Korea was brief, his contributions to the sport continue through his offspring competing around the world.