News
January Horse of the Month
1st Feb 2007
William Inglis & Son is immensely proud of its graduates who every month promote our name in winners circles around the globe.
This month we are delighted to recognise the achievements of
FLORAL PEGASUS
Breeding: 4yo entire by Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) ex Crown Crest (GB), by Mill Reef (USA)
Vendor: Widden Stud as agent
Owners: Mr Jacky Chan Cheung Ming and Mr & Mrs Sammy Chan Cheong Yuk
Trainer: A. S. Cruz
From the initial stages of his preparation, the staff at Widden Stud knew at the yearling stage that this colt was ‘the one’. Named Floral Pegasus, he was the most expensive yearling ever sold by Widden Stud at the time and now the striking chestnut entire has further furnished into a magnificent racehorse that has all the makings of a potential top-line stallion prospect. Bred by Mr Morio Sakurai, a Japanese Bloodstock investor and sold at the 2004 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale to the final bid of Mr Willie Leung of Magus Equine for $500,000, a price that can now be considered a ‘bargain’.
In a career that has spanned 15 starts to date, the son of 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) has recorded eight wins from 1200m to 1650m. Earning connections in excess of $1.6 million in stakes earnings, the Tony Cruz trained galloper recorded his most memorable win when taking out the HK Group One Sha Tin Hong Kong Classic Mile at his latest outing.
Lining up against a class field of Hong Kong Derby aspirants, Floral Pegasus was ridden by outstanding Frenchman Gerald Mosse. Jumping from the middle of the line, the 4yo missed the start slightly and therefore settled well back in an uncustomary role that saw him planted out 3 and 4 wide for the entire journey. Rounding the home turn, horse and jockey set out after the leaders, and within a matter of strides it was evident the Group One event would be added to the HK Group Three Sha Tin Chinese Club Challenge Cup won at his previous start.
Knowing what his mount was capable of, Mosse never showed any real concern, allowing the 2005/06 HK Champion Griffin to settle where he was comfortable. Although trainer Tony Cruz was slightly worried when the race began, he knew from years of experience as a leading jockey in Hong Kong, that the split-second decision made by Mosse would be the correct one.
Heading towards the second and third legs of the triple crown for 4YO’s, the HK Group Two Derby Trial and the HK Group One Mercedes Benz Hong Kong Derby, there was some trepidation about Floral Pegasus’ ability to stretch to firstly the 1800m and then to the 2000m. “Last week, I asked Gerald about the Derby and he said Floral Pegasus would not run 2000m,” Cruz revealed with a chuckle. “But after today’s race, I asked the same question again and he said ‘no problem’.”
From a family that includes numerous class racehorses with Group One victories over 2000m plus, coupled with the ease of his most recent win, Floral Pegasus’ future assignments over further distance seem to hold no further concerns for connections.
William Inglis & Son would like to congratulate the connections of Floral Pegasus and wish them the best of luck for his up coming assignments, with his ultimate aim being the HK Group One Hong Kong Derby as well as his career past that point, both on and off the track.
