It is with great sadness that Coolmore's Ashford Stud announces the death of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus who was euthanized at the farm Tuesday due to the infirmities of old age.
Bred by Arthur Hancock and Bob and Janice McNair of Stonerside farm, 'Fu Peg' as he was affectionately known, was a $4-million yearling when purchased by Fusao Sekiguchi at the 1998 Keeneland July sale. Trained by Neil Drysdale, Fusaichi Pegasus took the Grrade 2 San Felipe Stakes and the G2 Wood Memorial before winning the 2000 Kentucky Derby as the favorite and finishing second in the Preakness Stakes.
A year on from his legendary sire Mr. Prospector passing away, a heated bidding war involving most farms in Lexington for Fusaichi Pegasus ensued, and he retired to Ashford Stud at the end of 2000 for a then record breaking sum.
Fusaichi Pegasus went on to sire six champions worldwide and Grade 1 winners including Roman Ruler, Champ Pegasus, Haradasun and Bandini, while Southern Hemisphere stints at Haras Don Alberto and Haras Philipson yielded Horse Of The Year Bronzo and champion miler Telamon. He was also broodmare sire of 2023 Chilean Triple Crown winner Fortino.
Fusaichi Pegasus was pensioned from stud duties in 2020 and had been living out his retirement at Ashford.
“Fu Peg was a fantastic racehorse and a colorful character,” commented Ashford Stud general manager Dermot Ryan, “I would like to thank Richard Barry and all of his team, past and present, for providing the highest level of care for him throughout his time at Ashford.”
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