“Run Free in Heaven”: Sports World Devastated as $72,000,000 Worth Race Horse Suffers Saddening Fate Due to Old Age

Fusaichi Pegasus, 26, was euthanised due to old age on May 23rd. Coming from the noble lineage of Mr. Prospector, Fusaichi was born to Angel Fever in 1997, a mare co-owned by Bob McNair and Arthur Hancock. The night Fusaichi was born, Hancock admitted to Fort Worth Star-Telegram, “I called Bob the night this colt was born and I told him we had Superman.” Recently, at 26, Pegasus was euthanized, and it left a void in the world of horseracing.

The yearling was sold at a whopping $4 million to Japanese businessman Sekiguchi. Regretably, Hancock said, “If I had money, I would have never sold him.” Such was a glory that the colt commanded. However, he had a slow start before his three-year-old self won the Kentucky Derby with equestrian Kent Desormeaux.

How Fusaichi Pegasus Dominated the Kentucky Derby in 2000

Two-year old Fusaichi made his debut on Dec. 11, 1999 at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif in a maiden special weight race. Sekiguchi had flown down from Japan to witness a disappointing second-place finish. During that time, Sekiguchi faxed his notes with the help of a translator to Fusaichi’s trainer, Neil Drysdale. Then came the time when the colt arrived at his career-winning form!

Over the next three months, Fusaichi aced three races in a row at Santa Anita. His mount Kent Desormeaux admitted to not whipping him once. Later, Fusaichi earned a convincing win at the Wood Memorial as well. On May 6th gone, 2000, Fusaichi won the 2000 Kentucky Derby who became the first favorite after a stretch of 21 years (since Spectacular Bid). He finished the 1.25-mile distance in 2:01.12, the seventh fastest at the time. By the time he passed away recently, it became the 10th fastest ever. These five consecutive wins catapulted to the highest bid ever made in equestrian history!

Envelops were slipped under the door. The highest bid came from Coolmore Farm in Ireland. At the yearlong sale back in ’98, they were the underbidder. Emotions ran high as Hancock had to make the lowest bid for the championing horse he once owned. A Facebook post by Coolmore America reads, “Fusaichi Pegasus 1997 – 2023”. They continue, “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus who was…” sharing a link about his biography.

The world remembers him as one of the greatest Kentucky Derby winners

As he passes away recently, the world took notice of him and some of them said:

“Run free in heaven. You were a champion. I am so glad you got to retire and be a horse again”, wrote someone who was happy that the horse was humanized in his very last days.

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“I met him in 2016. Such a beautiful beast. Thank you for keeping him in your care”, wrote another person who was simply happy that the horse was horse was being taken care of in his last days.

“I heard he was one of the meanest horses to grace the sport. RIP old buddy”, wrote someone whose use of the term ‘mean’ was in the highest of compliments. He simply conveyed that Fusaichi Pegasus was ruthless in competitions.

“So terribly sad! He will be greatly missed, but always loved and remembered!” wrote someone who had nothing but warm wishes for the great gelding.

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Fusaichi Pegasus was cared for by the highest of standards till his last breath, but age caught up to him. He will always be remembered as a horse who set a record at an auction for $72 million. A statue of Fusaichi is also placed in Hokkaido, Japan.