Top 10 Most Expensive Horses ever Sold
The elite market for high-end horses is one of the most exclusive in the world. Racehorses, showjumpers and top breeding champions can go for more than millions. There are many factors: outstanding pedigrees, strong results or uncommon achievements. In this article, we reveal the ten most expensive horses ever sold and explain what made them so valuable—whether in racing, breeding, or competition. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in the world of elite equines.
The 10 Most Expensive Horses
We will look into the history and interesting facts about every one of these animals.
- 1. Fusaichi Pegasus – $70 Million
- 2. Justify – $60 Million
- 3. Shareef Dancer – $40 Million
- 4. Annihilator – $19 Million
- 5. The Green Monkey – $16 Million
- 6. Palloubet d’Halong – $15 Million
- 7. Moorland’s Totilas – $15 Million
- 8. Better Than Honour – $14 Million
- 9. Seattle Dancer – $13.1 Million
- 10. Meydan City – $11.7 Million
1. Fusaichi Pegasus – $70 Million
Fusaichi Pegasus was the most expensive horse ever bought at auction. He was bought for $70 million in 2000 after he won the Kentucky Derby. Fusao Sekiguchi owned the horse, which was trained by Neil Drysdale. His name is made up of his owner’s name and the name Pegasus.
Mr. Prospector and Angel Fever were part of his background. Even though he was a successful racehorse, it was what he could produce in the breeding shed that made him famous. His best-known horses were Roman Ruler and Bandini.
In 2020, Fusaichi Pegasus retired from stud, and he died in 2023 because of his age. His popularity and price were much lower than expected, but his sales turned out to be the most expensive ever recorded.
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2. Justify – $60 Million
Justify is the 13th horse to win the Triple Crown, and he is also the second one to achieve this while staying undefeated. He got into racing in 2018 and set records from the start. Coolmore Stud bought the rights to breed from him for $60 million.
He took first place in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. Because of his great background and unbeaten record, Justify was recognized as one of the greatest horses ever. His worth was boosted because what he did was uncommon.
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3. Shareef Dancer – $40 Million
Shareef Dancer was sold for the price of $40 million in 1983. He came from Northern Dancer, who had a major influence on thoroughbred breeding in the 20th century. The connection played a big role in adding value to him.
Shareef Dancer was the winner of the Irish Derby and King Edward VII Stakes. In addition to his racing, he produced the 1987 Belmont Stakes winner, Bet Twice. The value of his pedigree and his initial race results is shown in his price.
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4. Annihilator – $19 Million
Annihilator brought $19 million at auction but did not do well on the track or pass on his talents as a sire. Despite his impressive pedigree, which included champions like Niatross, Annihilator failed to deliver results on the track or as a sire, earning only $3,000 in winnings. The fact that he was sold before he raced underlines how buying horses is driven by possible performance.
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5. The Green Monkey – $16 Million
The Green Monkey became the most expensive Thoroughbred of its age at auction in 2006. His lineage, which included Northern Dancer and Secretariat, made him sell for $16 million.
But his racing career did not last long and did not make much of an impression. He made more than $10,000. In 2018, he died because of laminitis. The Green Monkey is a sign that setting very high goals doesn’t necessarily give you very high returns.
6. Palloubet d’Halong – $15 Million
Palloubet d’Halong, a Selle Français showjumper, was bought for $15 million in 2013. He was bought by the Dutch show jumper Jan Tops. The horse was very successful in showjumping and won the Grand Prix events in Rome and La Coruna.
The top stallion Baloubet du Rouet was included in his lineage. Because of his achievements and excellent background, Palloubet became the most expensive showjumper to be sold.
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7. Moorland’s Totilas – $15 Million
The Dutch Warmblood dressage horse Totilas was famous for breaking records. He became the first horse to get a score above 90 in a dressage competition. Edward Gal competed with Totilas, and together, they won three gold medals at the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
Paul Schockemöhle bought him for about €9.5 million in 2010. Totilas was involved in breeding after he retired, and his descendants kept playing a role in dressage.
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8. Better Than Honour – $14 Million
Because of her achievements as a breeder, Better Than Honour was sold for $14 million in 2008. She had success with Belmont Stakes winners Jazil and Rags to Riches.
Although she didn’t have much success herself, she became valuable because of her family background and the achievements of her descendants. She was important in the world of Thoroughbred breeding.
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9. Seattle Dancer – $13.1 Million
Seattle Dancer achieved a record sale in 1985 when he was bought for $13.1 million. His parents were Nijinsky II and Seattle Slew’s half-sister, so he was a brother to Seattle Slew.
In a short career, he won two important races, the Gallinule Stakes and the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial. His major achievement was siring 37 winners of stakes races.
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10. Meydan City – $11.7 Million
In 2006, Meydan City was bought for $11.7 million. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum bought him, and his family was respected. Kingmambo was Ebadan’s father, and Crown of Crimson was his mother.
Though he only won one race, his importance as a stallion stayed because of his bloodline. He helped the breeding industry, though he did not race much.
Final Thoughts
Expensive horses are usually valued for their achievements in races, as well as their ancestry and what they can produce. Fusaichi Pegasus and Justify were bought for large sums of money because of how well they performed and the traits of their ancestors. A horse’s value is often determined by its pedigree, race record, and earning potential as a sire or broodmare. Even though buying high-priced horses can be a gamble, their stories show the dedication, dangers and excitement of elite horse-trading.
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