Veteran Sire With Distinction Dies In Korea At Age 23

With Distinction, a Grade 3 winner and veteran sire, died in Korea on April 25, according to Korea Racing Authority records.

The 23-year-old son of Storm Cat had resided in Korea since November 2017, after beginning his stallion career at Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds in Florida during the 2007 breeding season.

Bred in Kentucky by William S. Farish Jr., With Distinction raced for Robert and Beverly Lewis, and he was trained by D. Wayne Lukas. After several tries at stakes competition, both graded and listed, With Distinction earned his breakthrough graded victory at age six when he took the Grade 3 El Conejo Handicap at Santa Anita Park. 

With Distinction retired with six wins in 29 career starts, and earnings of $447,717.

At stud, With Distinction has sired 381 winners with combined progeny earnings of more than $30.5 million.

His top runner is Decisive Moment, a Grade 3-placed four-time stakes winner who ran in the 2011 Kentucky Derby. He retired with earnings just shy of $1 million.

Other U.S.-sired runners of note include Grade 1-placed stakes winners Merit Man and Jalen Journey, and Grade 3 winners Well Defined and Distinctiv Passion.

With Distinction gained the attention of Korean breeders following the success of Nobody Catch Me, a U.S.-born colt who was exported to Korea and won the G3 Busan Mayor's Trophy.