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SARGA.CO – In the world of horse racing, only a few winners are truly remembered for generations. One of the most remarkable among them is Fusaichi Pegasus. Famous not only for his speed and victories, he also became known for being sold at an astonishing price — around Rp 934 billion (US$72 million) — making him the most expensive horse in the world.
Fusaichi Pegasus’s career showcased a perfect blend of power, skill, and a champion’s mindset. On the track, his stride was strong and steady, making him nearly impossible to overtake. His greatness wasn’t just about winning — it was about maintaining speed, focus, and grace throughout every race.
Even today, his name continues to be a favorite topic among racing enthusiasts — not only because of his achievements but also his extraordinary value.
More than twenty years after his prime, the story of Fusaichi Pegasus still fascinates many. He remains a symbol that talent, training, and perseverance can propel a horse to global fame.
From the racetrack to the breeding world, his legacy endures, cherished by horse lovers everywhere.
The pinnacle of Fusaichi Pegasus’s career came in 2000, when he won the Kentucky Derby, one of the most prestigious races in the world. With his long strides and unwavering pace, he took the lead at the crucial moment and crossed the finish line first. This victory instantly transformed him from a leading contender into an international superstar.
According to actionnetwork.com, he claimed the title on May 6, 2000. With odds of 9-5, Fusaichi Pegasus became the first favorite to win the Kentucky Derby since Spectacular Bid in 1979 — a 21-year gap.
Not only did he win, but he did so with a time of 2:01:12, the seventh fastest in the Derby’s 126-year history.
Fusaichi Pegasus was born on April 12, 1997, in Bourbon County, Kentucky, bred by Arthur B. Hancock III and Stonerside Ltd.
His pedigree was impeccable. According to horseracing.guide, he was sired by Mr. Prospector, one of the most influential stallions of his era, while his dam was Angel Fever, a mare by Danzig, another top sire.
This lineage represented a rare combination of speed, endurance, and class — traits that became evident as soon as he took to the track.
Fusaichi Pegasus’s bloodline also traces back to legendary horses like Nearco and Secretariat, the 1973 Triple Crown winner. His success was no accident; it was the product of a powerful genetic heritage.
The sale of Fusaichi Pegasus for US$72 million stunned the racing world. The value reflected not only his track record but also his genetic potential and elite bloodline.
According to Darren Rovell, Senior Executive Producer at The Action Network, the deal was sealed from a hotel room in Louisville. Envelopes containing bids were slipped under the door. The initial offers for the stallion’s breeding rights ranged between $30 million and $50 million, according to James Clay, who led the negotiations for the Japanese contingent.
The lowest bid came from Hancock himself, who felt compelled to try to repurchase the champion he had once sold. The highest bid came from Coolmore Farm in Ireland — a bidder who had previously lost to Sekiguchi in the year-long auction.
When the deal was finalized, Sekiguchi sold Fusaichi Pegasus for a record-breaking $72 million, with Coolmore acquiring 60% ownership and Shadai Farm in Japan taking 40%. Unlike many other owners, Sekiguchi relinquished all future claims, showing no interest in the horse’s later life.
After the Derby, Fusaichi Pegasus finished second to Red Bullet in the Preakness Stakes, ending hopes of a Triple Crown victory. He did not compete in the Belmont Stakes, raced only a few more times afterward, and retired with six wins and two seconds in nine starts, earning just under $2 million.
Upon retirement, he transitioned to life as a stallion. Breeders around the world hoped his offspring would inherit his exceptional qualities. He stood at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky, where he spent the next two decades shaping future generations.
While his offspring had mixed results, his reputation as a high-value sire remained intact. His influence as a breeding stallion spread across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, a testament to his international appeal.
Although none of his progeny won the Kentucky Derby, Horseracing.guide notes that Fusaichi Pegasus sired numerous stakes winners, achieving particular success in Australia, where his son Haradasun became a three-time Group 1 winner, including victory in the prestigious Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
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