Nuclear Debate was a bay horse bred in Kentucky by Iron County Farms Inc. His sire Geiger Counter was a moderate racehorse but had an exceptional pedigree,[1] being a son of Mr. Prospector and Thong.
Nuclear Debate's dam I'm An Issue was the granddaughter of Bourbon Mist who was also the female-line ancestor of the dual Prix Royal-Oak winner Amilynx.
As a gelding, Nuclear Debate was not allowed to compete in France's most important sprint, the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp in October.
Nuclear Debate's championship season began when he finished sixth behind Sampower Star in the Prix de Saint-Georges at Longchamp in May.
Ridden by Gérald Mossé he recorded his most important success up to that point as he caught the British challenger Watching in the final strides to win by a head.
Mosse restrained the gelding in the early stages before moving up to take the lead a furlong from the finish and win by one and a half lengths from the Japanese-trained Agnes World.
[12] A change in the race conditions allowed Nuclear Debate to run in the Prix de l'Abbaye in October, but despite starting favourite he finished unplaced behind his stable companion Imperial Beauty.
His best efforts were a win in the Grade II Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack in June 2002 and a third place in the Atto Mile at the same track three months later.