Fusaichi Pegasus (USA)

Mr Prospector (USA) - Angel Fever (USA)

Foaled - 12/04/1997 Bay Stallion

Runs: 9 Wins: 6 Places: 2 Earned: $1,994,400

Form: 2 - 11111216

Notable Wins:

Kentucky Derby Gr 1 by 1 1/2 lengths

Wood Memorial Stakes Gr 2 by 4 1/4 lengths

Jerome H'cap Gr 2 by 3/4 length

San Felipe Stakes Gr 2 by 3/4 length

The Horse With The Unpronouncable Name!

Well not any more it isn't. To pronounce his name correctly is to say: Foo-Sah-EE-chee Pegasus although he is more affectionately known as FuPeg to his fans and thats what he'll be called for the purpose of this blog.

You may be wondering why I am writing about a yankee horse some may not have heard of or even be interested in. Well for starters its our blog if you don't like it get your own. But mostly its because despite FuPeg having a firery nature - not unlike our TJ :) - he was or indeed still is a magnificent example of the Thoroughbred breed.

Namesake

Like so many racing greats from America FuPeg was saddled with the term "Triple Crown Horse" before he'd even set foot on a racecourse as a 3 year old, a title made all the more bold by the fact he was beaten on his only start as a 2 year old something which made him look like a rather expensive white elephant for he cost his owner, Fusao Sekiguchi $4 million as a yearling.

FuPeg duly went on to contest the first leg of the Triple Crown, the 126th running of the Kentucky Derby where one of the largest crowds in Derby history had gathered to watch this potential history maker in action. Always travelling out the back in 10th position he slowly came into contention until he was sitting in a much handier 5th position 4 from the rails. As the field of 19 thundered round the home turn FuPegs jockey K Desormeaux asked him to quicken where at the furlong pole, like his Pegasus namesake he grew wings and flew by the other runners to win by 1 1/2 lengths being pushed out by hands & heels duly becoming the first ever Mr Prospector sired horse to win the Run for the Roses. (below is FuPeg & K Desormeaux immediately after their win in the Kentucky Derby)

Not To Be

However fate was to conspire against the magnifcent FuPeg and he only finished 2nd in the Preakness Stakes, the 2nd leg of the Triple Crown behind Red Bullet on a muddy track. Then while being prepared for the 3rd and final leg he picked up an injury kept him out of action for several months. He was slowly brought back to fitness with mind to contending the Breeders Cup Classic later that year. All eyes were upon him on his first race back, the Jerome H'cap, a Gr 2 event over 8f.

Giving away weight of between 4 - 10lbs to his rivals, he raced in 5th position through the first half of the race and rallied gamely to take up the lead in the home stretch from El Corredor, despite not yet being at 100% peak fitness. (below - Fupeg in the post parade prior to his Jerome H'cap win)

Of course FuPeg only managed a disappointing 6th in the Breeders Cup beaten by an older horse once again. Like my two co-ed's I also can't fathom out why so many owners are in a hurry to have their 3 year olds contest a hard race against much more battle hardened older horses instead of giving their bodies the time they need to strengthen up another year or so before tackling the BC.

Co-ed TJ:- That was a rather sensible analysis re 3yos v older horses from you Jen. I'm getting worried! :)

Where Are They Now?

Seems to me most of the time we don't need to say where these stallions end up as you can pretty much guess but here it goes anyway. FuPeg is now owned by Coolmore (purchased for a massive $60mil) and stands at their studs in America and in Australia. His progeny include Gr 1 winner Bandini (owned by Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith) winner of the Blue Grass Stakes and Roman Ruler a top class sprinter & winner of 5 graded stakes races and over $1.2mil who is now also retired to stud.

The future's bright, the future's FuPeg ;D

Jen