Former Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus dies at 26
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Fusaichi Pegasus, winner of the 2000 Kentucky Derby, was euthanized at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud on May 23 due to the infirmities of old age. The son of the great Mr. Prospector was 26.
Fusiachi Pegasus was bred by Arthur Hancock of Stone Farm and Bob and Janice McNair of Stonerside Farm. Upon his birth at Stone Farm, Hancock nicknamed him “Superman.” He lived up to his breeders’ high opinions of him when he sold for $4 million to Fusao Sekiguchi at the 1998 Keeneland July yearling sale. After the owner combined his own name, the Japanese suffix ‘ichi,’ meaning “first,” and the moniker of a mythological winged horse, the colt earned another nickname, affectionately known as “Fu Peg” by fans and caretakers.
The high-spirited Fusaichi Pegasus, trained by Neil Drysdale, won the Grade 2 San Felipe over The Deputy, who would subsequently win the Santa Anita Derby. He then rolled by 4 1/4 lengths in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial over Red Bullet and Aptitude. Those victories made him the favorite for the Kentucky Derby, which he won by 1 1/2 lengths over Aptitude with Kent Desormeaux in the irons. Fusaichi Pegasus, who returned $6.60, was, at the time, the first favorite to win the race since Spectacular Bid in 1979. He also became the highest-priced horse purchased at public auction ever to win the Derby.
Fusaichi Pegasus finished second in the Preakness Stakes to Red Bullet. Later in the year, he captured the Grade 2 Jerome Stakes before finishing sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He retired with a record of 9-6-2-0 and earnings of $1,994,400.
Fusaichi Pegasus entered stud in 2001 at Ashford, with Coolmore having paid a reported $60 million for the stallion prospect, a record at the time. To date, Fusaichi Pegasus – who has three current 3-year-olds and a pair of 2-year-olds of this season, according to reports from The Jockey Club – is the sire of 1,186 winners for progeny earnings of $111,178,560. His 86 career stakes winners include six champions worldwide, with many internationally successful runners due to his years shuttling for Coolmore.
Fusaichi Pegasus is the sire of Australian champion Haradasun, a multiple Group 1 winner in the Southern Hemisphere who also shipped north to win the Group 1 Queen Anne at the 2008 Royal Ascot meeting. He is also the sire of Chilean champion Bronzo, Puerto Rican champion Fusaichiswonderful, Mexican champions Ketal and Vistoso, and Peruvian champion Ole Pegasus
In the U.S., his runners are led by Grade 1-winning millionaire Roman Ruler, sire of Belmont Stakes winner Ruler On Ice. He also sired Grade 1 winners Bandini and Champ Pegasus.
Fusaichi Pegasus was pensioned in 2020 to live out his retirement at Ashford.
“Fu Peg was a fantastic racehorse and a colorful character,” Ashford general manager Dermot Ryan said in a release. “I would like to thank [stallion manager] Richard Barry and all of his team, past and present, for providing the highest level of care for him throughout his time at Ashford.”
At the time of his death, Fusaichi Pegasus was the second-oldest living Kentucky Derby winner, behind only 1997 victor Silver Charm, who resides at Old Friends in Kentucky. Now moving into the position of second oldest is 2003 winner Funny Cide, who resides at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions.
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