A son of Fairy King by Northern Dancer, he was owned by the Spanish businessman Enrique Sarasola and trained by Élie Lellouche.

A seven-time Group One winner, his career highlight was victory in the 1996 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp by five lengths, which earned him a high Timeform rating of 136.

He failed to reproduce that form in the 1997 Arc, finishing well behind the winner Peintre Celebre.

He sired: Helenus, a top class Australian three-year-old stayer; the brilliant Japanese horse Pop Rock; and Weekend Beauty, the dam of six-time Group One winner Weekend Hussler.

Helissio died of a heart attack at Scarvagh House Stud in Ireland on 8 October 2013.