Fantastic Light was quite the globetrotter during his racing career, winning Grade/Group 1 races in five of the seven countries he raced in. A champion in both Europe and the United States, he was not nearly as good a sire as he was a racehorse but begot several highly regarded sporthorses.
Race record
25 starts, 12 wins, 5 seconds, 3 thirds, US$8,486,957 (includes converted foreign earnings)
1998:
1999:
2000:
2001:
Honors
Assessments
Earned a maximum Timeform rating of 103+ pounds at 2.
Earned a rating of 121 pounds in the Long division among 3-year-olds on the 1999 International Classification, 14 pounds below overall highweight Montjeu (who also topped the Long Category at 135 pounds).
Earned a Timeform rating of 123 pounds at 3.
Earned a rating of 124 pounds in the Long division on the 2000 International Classification, 10 pounds below overall highweight Dubai Millennium and 6 pounds below the top horse in the Long division, Montjeu.
Earned a Timeform rating of 128 pounds at 4.
Earned a rating of 129 pounds in the Intermediate category on the 2001 International Classification, 4 pounds below overall highweight Sakhee (who also topped the Intermediate category at 133 pounds).
Earned a Timeform rating of 134 pounds at age 5.
As an individual
A handsome bay horse, Fantastic Light had the elegant, muscular make of his paternal grandsire, Blushing Groom, but with a bit more scope and length of leg. He had an excellent turn of foot and great determination when set down for a drive. He was dominant and fiery from foalhood on.
As a stallion
According to records compiled by the Jockey Club, Fantastic Light sired 605 winners (48.7%) and 29 stakes winners (2.3%) from 1243 named foals of racing age.
Notable progeny
Mission Critical (AUS), Scintillo (GB)
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (https://www.arion.co.nz):
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Fantastic Light was bred and raced by Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Gainsborough Farm. He was trained by Sir Michael Stoute. In 2000, Fantastic Light was transferred to Godolphin Stables following his race in the Dubai Sheema Classic and afterward was trained by Saeed bin Suroor. He was ridden to his Breeders’ Cup triumph by Frankie Dettori. He began his stud career at Dalham Hall near Newmarket, England. In 2007, Fantastic Light transferred to Darley Japan. He also shuttled to Australia. He returned to Dalham Hall as a pensioner in 2012 and was still living as of May 2020.
Pedigree notes
Fantastic Light is inbred 5x5 to undefeated Nearco, a two-time champion sire in England. He is also inbred 5x5 to 1937 American champion 2-year-old male Menow, to the 20th-century American foundation mare Almahmoud, and to the speedy Cohoes, winner of the 1958 Brooklyn Handicap and Whitney Stakes. He is a full brother to listed stakes winner Hi Dubai, second dam of 2025 Argentine champion 2-year-old male Drive Joy, and to Daanet al Dunya, dam of 2015 ATC Pago Pago Stakes (AUS-G2) winner Tarquin (by Hard Spun). Fantastic Light is also a half brother to Wanice (by Mr. Prospector), second dam of 2013 BTC Cup Stakes (AUS-G1) winner Your Song.
Fantastic Light and his siblings are out of Jood, a half sister to 1984 Canadian champion 3-year-old male Key to the Moon (by Wajima), multiple Grade 1 winner Gorgeous (by Slew o’ Gold), 1990 Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1) winner and outstanding broodmare Seaside Attraction (by Seattle Slew), and 1986 Princess Margaret Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Hiaam (by Alydar), as well as the good broodmares Forlis Key (by Forli) and Wilayif (by Danzig). Jood and her siblings are out of 1979 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly and 1990 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Kamar (by Key to the Mint), in turn a daughter of 1973 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly and “Genetic Gem” Square Angel (by Quadrangle).
Books and media
A video of Fantastic Light’s victory in the 2001 Breeders’ Cup Turf can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn4hQ0tiAXc.
Last updated: August 4, 2026
Race record
25 starts, 12 wins, 5 seconds, 3 thirds, US$8,486,957 (includes converted foreign earnings)
1998:
- 3rd Stardom Stakes (ENG-L, 8FT, Goodwood; third of three)
1999:
- Won Stakis Casino Great Voltigeur Stakes (ENG-G2, 12FT, York)
- Won Thresher Classic Trial Stakes (ENG-G3, about 10FT, Sandown)
- Won Arc Trial Stakes (ENG-L, 11FT, Newbury)
- 3rd Coral-Eclipse Stakes (ENG-G1, about 10FT, Sandown)
- 2nd Prince of Wales’s Stakes (ENG-G2, about 10FT, Ascot)
2000:
- Won Hong Kong Cup (HK-G1, 2400mT, Sha Tin)
- Won Man o’ War Stakes (USA-G1, 11FT, Belmont)
- Won Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G3, 2400mT, Nad Al Sheba)
- 2nd King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (ENG-G1, about 12FT, Ascot)
- 2nd Vodafone Coronation Cup (ENG-G1, 12F+10yT, Epsom)
- 3rd Japan Cup (JPN-G1, 2400mT, Tokyo)
2001:
- Won Breeders’ Cup Turf (USA-G1, 12FT, Belmont; new course record 2:24.36)
- Won Food Island Irish Champion Stakes (IRE-G1, 10FT, Leopardstown)
- Won Prince of Wales’s Stakes (ENG-G1, about 10FT, Ascot)
- Won Tattersalls Gold Cup Stakes (IRE-G1, 10.5FT, Curragh)
- 2nd King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (ENG-G1, about 12FT, Ascot)
- 2nd Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority & Dubai Ports Authority Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G2, 2400mT, Nad Al Sheba)
Honors
- Cartier Award, European Horse of the Year (2001)
- Cartier Award, European champion older horse (2001)
- Eclipse Award, American champion turf male (2001)
Assessments
Earned a maximum Timeform rating of 103+ pounds at 2.
Earned a rating of 121 pounds in the Long division among 3-year-olds on the 1999 International Classification, 14 pounds below overall highweight Montjeu (who also topped the Long Category at 135 pounds).
Earned a Timeform rating of 123 pounds at 3.
Earned a rating of 124 pounds in the Long division on the 2000 International Classification, 10 pounds below overall highweight Dubai Millennium and 6 pounds below the top horse in the Long division, Montjeu.
Earned a Timeform rating of 128 pounds at 4.
Earned a rating of 129 pounds in the Intermediate category on the 2001 International Classification, 4 pounds below overall highweight Sakhee (who also topped the Intermediate category at 133 pounds).
Earned a Timeform rating of 134 pounds at age 5.
As an individual
A handsome bay horse, Fantastic Light had the elegant, muscular make of his paternal grandsire, Blushing Groom, but with a bit more scope and length of leg. He had an excellent turn of foot and great determination when set down for a drive. He was dominant and fiery from foalhood on.
As a stallion
According to records compiled by the Jockey Club, Fantastic Light sired 605 winners (48.7%) and 29 stakes winners (2.3%) from 1243 named foals of racing age.
Notable progeny
Mission Critical (AUS), Scintillo (GB)
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (https://www.arion.co.nz):
- 5th on the German broodmare sire list in 2019.
- 10th on the New Zealand broodmare sire list in 2013/14.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Fantastic Light was bred and raced by Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Gainsborough Farm. He was trained by Sir Michael Stoute. In 2000, Fantastic Light was transferred to Godolphin Stables following his race in the Dubai Sheema Classic and afterward was trained by Saeed bin Suroor. He was ridden to his Breeders’ Cup triumph by Frankie Dettori. He began his stud career at Dalham Hall near Newmarket, England. In 2007, Fantastic Light transferred to Darley Japan. He also shuttled to Australia. He returned to Dalham Hall as a pensioner in 2012 and was still living as of May 2020.
Pedigree notes
Fantastic Light is inbred 5x5 to undefeated Nearco, a two-time champion sire in England. He is also inbred 5x5 to 1937 American champion 2-year-old male Menow, to the 20th-century American foundation mare Almahmoud, and to the speedy Cohoes, winner of the 1958 Brooklyn Handicap and Whitney Stakes. He is a full brother to listed stakes winner Hi Dubai, second dam of 2025 Argentine champion 2-year-old male Drive Joy, and to Daanet al Dunya, dam of 2015 ATC Pago Pago Stakes (AUS-G2) winner Tarquin (by Hard Spun). Fantastic Light is also a half brother to Wanice (by Mr. Prospector), second dam of 2013 BTC Cup Stakes (AUS-G1) winner Your Song.
Fantastic Light and his siblings are out of Jood, a half sister to 1984 Canadian champion 3-year-old male Key to the Moon (by Wajima), multiple Grade 1 winner Gorgeous (by Slew o’ Gold), 1990 Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1) winner and outstanding broodmare Seaside Attraction (by Seattle Slew), and 1986 Princess Margaret Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Hiaam (by Alydar), as well as the good broodmares Forlis Key (by Forli) and Wilayif (by Danzig). Jood and her siblings are out of 1979 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly and 1990 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Kamar (by Key to the Mint), in turn a daughter of 1973 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly and “Genetic Gem” Square Angel (by Quadrangle).
Books and media
A video of Fantastic Light’s victory in the 2001 Breeders’ Cup Turf can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn4hQ0tiAXc.
Last updated: August 4, 2026