THE most expensive horse ever Fusaichi Pegasus has died aged 26.
The Kentucky Derby hero was sold to breeding giants Coolmore for a reported £53.7million in 2000 – £95.2m in today’s money.
Fusaichi Pegasus, who holds the record as the most expensive horse ever sold, has sadly died
The former Kentucky Derby winner had his own solid gold statue in Japan, where he was adored by fans
Fu Peg, as he was known, was loved around the world and even had a solid gold statue in Japan.
A statement on Coolmore’s website read: “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.”
Ashford Stud’s general manager Dermot Ryan said: “Fu Peg was a fantastic racehorse and a colorful character.
“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.”
Huge things were always expected of Fusaichi Pegasus but his life story is a fascinating one of dizzying highs and desperate lows.
He was purchased by Fusao Sekiguchi as a yearling for $4 – around £3.2m in today’s cash.
Racing in the US, he won two Group 2 contests before taking the country’s biggest race in the millennium year.
He became the first favourite to win since Spectacular Bird in 1979.
He only raced three more times, picking up a Group 2 at Belmont Park in September 2000.
His final race was a well-beaten sixth at Churchill Downs a couple of months later.
Later that year he was the subject of a ferocious bidding war as the sport’s billionaires battled it out for his lucrative breeding rights.
Former Manchester United owner John Magnier submitted the winning bid.
Fu Peg was homed at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky, not too far from the site of his Derby win.
More to follow.
