“We Had Superman”: Most Expensive Race Horse Worth $72,000,000 Was Born to Mare Bought for a Petty Sum Once

In the world of horse racing, Fusiachi Pegasus is a name that is synonymous with greatness. The multi-million dollar worth stallion has left an indelible mark on the world of horse racing. The most expensive racehorse ever sold at an auction has a long-standing legacy. However, very few people know that he was born to a mare that was purchased for a relatively meager sum. The legendary stallion was born to Angel Fever in 1997. It was bought by the late Houston Texans owner Bob McNair. 

Pegasus was the offspring of Angel Fever and the legendary stallion, Mr. Prospector. 

One of the best deals in the history of Equestrian sports

The late Bob McNair, a longtime horse racing enthusiast, along with Arthur Hancock’s Stone Farm, had purchased Angel and the most popular stallion of the 1990s, Mr. Prospector, for a whopping deal of $525,000. According to the Action Network, the buyers were happy with the purchase of Mr. Prospector. But little did they know what was coming for the equestrian community. 

After Pegasus was born, Hancock III reportedly told Tim Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, “I called Bob the night this colt was born and I told him we had Superman.”

Fusiachi Pegasus’ exceptional racing career began with a second place finish in 1999 at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California, and he quickly established himself as a top contender in the sport. But it was in 2000 that Fusiachi Pegasus truly made his mark on the sport. That year, he won four straight Grade 1 races, including the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, making him the odds-on favorite to win the Triple Crown.

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Pegasus later went on to become the most expensive racehorse in the history of equestrian sports. He was bought by the breeding powerhouse Coolmore Ireland for a whopping $70 million, after his iconic performance in the Derby. The legendary stallion retired in 2020, but his legacy in horse racing lives on. 

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Pegasus’ story serves as a testament to the potential for greatness that can be unlocked through careful breeding and training, and his remarkable accomplishments will forever be remembered as a hallmark of excellence in the sport. It could be said that McNair made the deal of a lifetime when he decided to buy Angel and Prospector.