Fusaichi Pegasus' Stud Fee Decreased

Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Fusaichi Pegasus, who began his stallion career this year for $150,000 at Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky., had his fee dropped to $135,000 for the 2002 breeding season. The fee change is one of several for the Ashford stallions.

"Owing to the current economic climate and the difficult year the industry has experienced, Ashford Stud has decided to reduce almost all their fees in an effort to give breeders a better shot at making a profit," said director of sales Aisling Cross. "However, we are excited about the season ahead as this is undoubtedly our strongest ever team."

Thunder Gulch, who heads the 2001 sire list by progeny earnings, will stand for $80,000, up $5,000 from what his announced fee was the last part of the 2001 breeding season. Thunder Gulch and Fusaichi Pegasus are among a group of Ashford stallions currently standing at Coolmore Australia.

Ashford, a satellite of Irish-based Coolmore Stud, also announced the addition of new stallions A P Valentine and Black Minnaloushe, both of whom are 3-year-olds. A grade I winner as a 2-year-old, A P Valentine ran second in both the Preakness (gr. I) and Belmont (gr. I) Stakes. Black Minnaloushe was a group I winner in England and Ireland this year. Their fees will be announced at a later date.
Coolmore stallion Giant's Causeway, whose stallion career started at Coolmore in Ireland this year, will stand the 2002 season at Ashford for $135,000. His 2001 fee was 100,000 Irish guineas (approximately $120,000).

Following are the fees for the remaining Ashford stallions: $40,000 for Woodman; $30,000 for High Yield and Honour and Glory; $25,000 for Grand Slam, Spinning World, Stravinsky, and Tale of the Cat; $20,000 for Hennessy, Kings of Kings, and Royal Academy; $15,000 for Southern Halo; $10,000 for Louis Quatorze and Lure; $7,500 for Bianconi; and $5,000 for Victory Speech.