2000 Kentucky Derby Winner

Sire Mr. Prospector

Grandsire Raise a Native

Dam Angel Fever

Damsire Danzig

Sex Stallion

Foaled April 12, 1997

Stonerside Stable, Bourbon County, Kentucky, U.S.

Died May 23, 2023 (aged 26)

Ashford Stud, Woodford County, Kentucky, U.S.

Country United States

Colour Bay

Breeder Arthur B. Hancock III and Stonerside Ltd

Owner Fusao Sekiguchi

Trainer Neil Drysdale

Record 9: 6–2–0

Earnings $1,994,400

Major wins

Fusaichi Pegasus was a brilliant and explosive colt who won the 2000 Kentucky Derby and was once called the most expensive horse in the world. He was foaled in 1997 and trained by Hall of Famer Neil Drysdale for Japanese owner Fusao Sekiguchi. His sire was the legendary Mr. Prospector, and his dam was Angel Fever, a daughter of Danzig. He was a beautiful bay colt with a quirky personality, but when he ran he showed the kind of brilliance that left fans speechless.

Fusaichi Pegasus broke his maiden in late 1999 and quickly began his march to the Kentucky Derby. He ran off three straight wins in the spring of 2000, including a powerful win in the Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct in his final Derby prep. He came to Churchill Downs as the heavy favorite for the 2000 Kentucky Derby, and he did not let his backers down. Ridden by jockey Kent Desormeaux, he sat off a fast pace and exploded down the stretch to win by a length and a half. He was the first favorite to win the Derby since Spectacular Bid in 1979.

The 2000 Preakness Stakes did not go his way. He set up off the pace as usual but never quite found his best stride, finishing sixth behind Red Bullet in one of the surprises of the year. He skipped the Belmont Stakes and came back later in the summer to win the Jerome Handicap at Belmont Park before being retired. He finished his career with 6 wins from 9 starts and earnings of about 2 million dollars.

The biggest news came after the Derby win, when Coolmore Stud purchased him in a deal reported to be worth around 60 to 70 million dollars, one of the highest prices ever paid for a racehorse. He stood at Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Kentucky and shuttled to Australia for many years. He sired Grade 1 winners like Roman Ruler, Bandini, and Haradasun and proved a steady source of class horses. Fusaichi Pegasus is remembered as one of the most talented Derby winners of the modern era and one of the most expensive horses ever sold.

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