World’s most expensive racehorse who cost $70m dies aged 26 as fans mourn loss
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Fusaichi Pegasus, the world’s most expensive racehorse, has died aged 26-years-old.
Pegasus won the Kentucky Derby in 2000, resulting in his breeding rights being sold for a record $70million (£53.6m). He also won two Group 2 contests in the United States before its historic victory in the Race for the Rovers at the start of the millennium.
After being pensioned from his stud duties in 2020, Fu Peg, as he was also known as, lived out his final years at Ashford. More than a ¼ of a century after his iconic victory, the legendary thoroughbred has passed away.
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"It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus who was euthanised at Ashford Stud yesterday due to the infirmities of old age,” a statement from Coolmore, the breeding company who shelled out the unprecedented fee on the horse's breeding rights, read.
Ashford Stud’s general manager Dermot Ryan also offered his own condolences, describing him as “a fantastic racehorse and a colourful character”. He also added: "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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As well as his many victories and records, Fu Peg’s legacy can also be seen in his solid gold statue in Japan. He was bought by Japanese businessman Fusao Sekiguchi as a yearling for $4m (£3.2m).
His popularity began to soar when he followed up his victory in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes with another victorious display in the Wood Memorial Stakes. When he won the Kentucky Derby, he did so as the first favourite to cross the lines first since Spectacular Bid 23 years previously.
It was this victory which prompted a ferocious bidding war between some of the richest sporting billionaires in the world. Former Manchester United owner John Magnier eventually won the bid by shelling out around $70m on his breeding rights.
Fu Peg has also bred some very notable thoroughbreds in the racing world, including Grade 1 winners Bandini, Roman Ruler, and Haradasun.
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- Horse racing
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