Fusaichi Pegasus 1997 – 2023

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.

Bred by Arthur Hancock and Bob and Janice McNair of Stonerside farm, ‘Fu Peg’ as he was affectionately known, was a $4m yearling when purchased by Fusao Sekiguchi at the 1998 Keeneland July sale. Trained by Neil Drysdale, Fu Peg took the Gr.2 San Felipe and the Gr.2 Wood Memorial before winning the 2000 Kentucky Derby as the favorite and finishing 2nd in the Preakness.

A year on from his legendary sire Mr. Prospector passing away, a heated bidding war involving most farms in Lexington for Fu Peg ensued, and he retired to Ashford Stud at the end of 2000 for a then record breaking sum. Fusaichi Pegasus went on to sire 6 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, Champion Miler – Telamon, he was also Broodmare sire of 2023 Chilean Triple Crown winner Fortino. Fu Peg 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.”