Fusaichi Pegasus (, ; April 12, 1997 – May 23, 2023) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2000 Kentucky Derby, and subsequently set a record at auction—selling for US$70,000,000 to Coolmore Stud.
Background Nicknamed "Fu Peg", Fusaichi Pegasus was a son of Mr. Prospector and Angel Fever, a mare by leading sire Danzig. At the time of his breeding, he was nicknamed "Superman" by his breeder, Arthur Hancock.
In July 1998, the colt was purchased as a yearling at the Keeneland sale by Fusao Sekiguchi for $4 million, which was the highest price paid for a Kentucky Derby winner at the time. His name is a combination of his owner's name, "Fusao", and the Japanese word for one, "ichi", to mean No. 1 or the best; the second half of his name came from that of a winged horse in Greek mythology.
Racing career In early 2000, Fusaichi Pegasus won the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes and Wood Memorial Stakes.
Fusaichi Pegasus won the 2000 Kentucky Derby in a time of 2:01.12 for the 1 mile distance. At the time, it was the seventh fastest time in Kentucky Derby history; by the time of his death, it was the tenth fastest time. He was the first favorite to win the Kentucky Derby since Spectacular Bid in 1979 and the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby without winning a race as a two-year-old since Proud Clarion in 1967. He was also the last Kentucky Derby winner to be sired by Mr. Prospector.
After the Derby, he lost to Red Bullet in the Preakness Stakes. After his loss in the Preakness Stakes, he did not race in the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes.
On November 4, he made his final career start in the Breeder's Cup Classic, finishing a disappointing sixth.
Retirement and stud record
In 2000, he was sold to Irish breeder Coolmore Stud for a reported price of more than US$70,000,000 (£35,000,000). The previous record for a stallion prospect was US$40m (£24m), paid in 1983 for Shareef Dancer. During his first decade as a stallion, he split his time between Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Ireland and Coolmore's Australian breeding operation. He shuttled in 2008 to Haras Don Alberto in Chile,Fusaichi Pegasus to Chile, Thoroughbred News, June 3, 2008 and also shuttled into Uruguay.Hanson, Vance (May 24, 2023), Fusaichi Pegasus, 2000 Kentucky Derby winner, dies at 26, Brisnet. Among his progeny are Grade 1 winners Bandini, Roman Ruler, Champ Pegasus, and Haradasun.
His son Roman Ruler produced Ruler on Ice, winner of the 2011 Belmont Stakes.
He was pensioned from stud duty after the 2020 breeding season.
At age 26, Fusaichi Pegasus was euthanized on May 23, 2023, due to the effects of old age.
Pedigree
References