The 2000 GI Kentucky Derby Champion, Fusaichi Pegasus (Mr. Prospector) has passed at the age of 26-years-old, Coolmore America said in a release on their website early Wednesday morning.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus who was euthanized at Ashford Stud yesterday due to the infirmities of old age,” the organization said.
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 won the GII San Felipe S. and the GII Wood Memorial before winning the 2000 Kentucky Derby as the favorite and finishing 2nd in the GI Preakness S.
A year on from his 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.
Twenty Years Later, Fond Memories Remain of Fusaichi Pegasus
Fusaichi Pegasus went on to sire six champions worldwide and Grade I winners which included Roman Ruler, Champ Pegasus, Haradasun (Aus) and Bandini. Southern hemisphere stints at Haras Don Alberto and Haras Philipson yielded champion older horse, Bronzo (Chi), and Fusaichi Pegasus was also broodmare sire of 2023 Chilean Triple Crown winner, Fortino (Chi) (Midshipman).
The stallion 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,” said 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.”
Fusaichi Pegasus 1997 – 2023.
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus who was… https://t.co/U5IQ4PA9N7 pic.twitter.com/dZarxGa0DN— Coolmore America (@coolmoreamerica) May 24, 2023
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