Horses are noble beasts which we have not only admired over the millennia, but have served us as well, as transport, to carry burdens and ease our workload, and for wars. Today we add the grace of them also to equestrian sports, which range from local events to grand affairs and competitions which draw huge prizes, the rich and famous – even royalty — horse racing betting elevates the occasion, as discerning bettors commit millions with poised anticipation

This has led to horses as an investment, attracting the interest of the wealthy with astounding sales values for exceptional performances and prestigious bloodlines, especially when it comes to race horses and breeding stock. Just how expensive? Read on for some of the most extraordinary prices on the most expensive horses in the world.

1 Fusaichi Pegasus

Sold for $70 million (€75m) in 2000

The most expensive horse sale ever was the exceptional thoroughbred Fusaichi Pegasus, originally owned by Fusao Sekiguchi, a horse with performances which rose above the ordinary. The most notable win was at the 2000 Kentucky Derby just prior to the sale. Other wins of note include the Dubai World Cup, and the Irish Derby. With such a high anticipated income stream from prize money and stud fees, and in combination with a public perception of value, boosted the price to legendary levels so far not matched in over a quarter of a century, when bought by Coolmore Farm. Fusaichi Pegasus has not disappointed, with celebrated offspring including Grade 1 winners such as Roman Ruler, Haradasun, Bandini, and Champ Pegasus.

2 Justify

Sold for $60 million (€50.85m) in 2018

Just a little short of Fusaichi Pegasus’s sale price, Justify sold at auction for $60m in 2018 to Coolmore Farm, with an arrangement to potentially pay a total of $85 million (€72m) on retirement on the condition that he won the Triple Crown, exceeding that of Fusaichi Pegasus. He did win the Triple Crown, one of just 13 horses to achieve this. His value was driven up by expectations of high quality offspring, which is being paid off with first-crop yearlings in 2021 being sold for up to $1.55 million. Although his racing career was short, it was exceptional and includes unbeaten records.

3 Shareef Dancer

Sold for $40 million (pre-euros) in 1983

Prior to Fusaichi Pegasus, Shareef Dancer took the record sale price in 1983. His value was boosted by exceptional lineage and wins on the track. Bred across 2 nations, this British-American racehorse had ‘royal’ horse lineage from Northern Dancer, and hit on the beginnings of a booming industry taking off in its global impact. He scored wins in some of the most prestigious racing events, such as the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap and the 1985 Breeders’ Cup Mile. Not only superb stock, his offspring included notable horses such as Bet Twice who won the 1987 Belmont Stakes.

4 Annihilator

Sold for $19 million (pre-euros) in 1990

In the middle of the record prices seen in the 1980s and 90s, Annihilator’s sale hit the headlines at a premium of $19 million. Sales at the time were boosted by both performance, and speculation as in the case of Annihilator, or ‘Nihilator’. The horse had a striking appearance making him a favourite for his dark mane. He was descended from the celebrated champion Niatross, and Wish Me Wings, and owned by M. Sakura and H.D. Woodhouse. Maybe his huge price tag is not remembered because in his case he didn’t hold up to expectations, through either prize money on the track, or in producing offspring which were big winners. Sales of thoroughbreds in their prime is a gamble with a large thread of speculative.

5 The Green Monkey

Sold for $16 million (€13m) in 2006

Sold for only a little less, but over a decade later, The Green Monkey sale made headlines with a record for sales of two-year-olds racehorses. With legendary parentage – sired by Secretariat and Northern Dancer – there were top-level expectations over a glorious income stream from this chestnut. The Green Monkey’s first appearance was to be at the 2006 Royal Ascot races, but ended up being hampered by an injury, earning over time a mere $10,000 in prize money. He also failed to produce any offspring of note, and was sadly euthanized at just 14 years old as a result of incurable laminitis.

6 Palloubet D’halong

Sold for $15 million (€11.3m) in 2013

As a show horse, Palloubet D’halong holds the record for the biggest sale. A Selle Francais excelling in equestrian, this chestnut was an exceptional showjumper, with original rider being the Swiss Janika Sprunger, inspiring fans by his finesse on the field. He was bought by Edwina Alexander, a renowned rider himself, who gave Palloubet D’halong to his Olympic medal-winning wife, Jan Tops. He won in internationally renowned events like La Coruna in Spain and Rome’s Grand Prix. With his lineage including Indra Love and Baloubet du Rouet, his is a showjumper still in high demand.

7 Moorland’s Totilas (Toto)

Sold for $15 million (€9.5m) in 2010

Nicknamed Toto, this Dutch Warmblood made news with its mega price tag when sold to the German breeder Paul Schockemohle. Even as a top-achieving dressage horse this was a price to turn heads. Ridden by the notable Dutchman Edward Gal, he not only won a triple gold success in 2010 World Equestrian Games, but was also the first horse in dressage competitions to hit a score of over 90. This was on the heels of gold medals in the Olympics in both 2008 and 2012, making him a legend on the dressage stage. Toto died in 2020.

8 Better Than Honour

Sold for $14 million (€10m) in 2008

This Kentucky-born American Thoroughbred mare hit a record price at auction, not for her own achievements as much as for her lineage and her offspring. Sired by Deputy Minister and mothered by Blush With Pride (winner of Kentucky Oaks), her offspring included two Belmont Stake winners, Jazil n 2006 and Rags to Riches in 2007 – the only broodmare to do so. One of Coolmore’s stock for four years (purchased for just $2 million in 2005), she was awarded the title of Kentucky Broodmare of the year in 2007. This broodmare born in 1996 was sold at the Fasig-Tipton sale in 2008.

9 Seattle Dancer

Sold for $13.1 million (pre-euros) in 1985

At a sweet $13 million, Seattle Dancer drew one of the top auction prices for yearlings during the thoroughbred auction heyday of the 80s and 90s. Sprung from the legendary Nijinsky II, a 1969 star who became the first winner of the English Triple Crown, and dam My Charmer who was also mother to winner of the U.S. Triple Crown, Seatle Slew. Seattle Dancer was a stellar performer off the race track, siring 37 stake race winners. Some of his noteworthy offspring include Caffe Latte, Que Belle, Pike Place Dancer, and Seattle Rhyme.

10 Meydan City

Sold for $11.7 million (€8.6m) in 2006

Another record breaking Thoroughbred yearling and owned by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, in 2007 Meydan City won the prestigious Group 2 UAE Derby. Again more of a star off the track, with this Derby his only win, his lineage and offspring made him headlines. He was sired from Seattle Slew’s offspring mare Crown Of Crimson, Kingmambo. His training by Saeed bin Suroor gave him his big win, but as a stud he was a significant contributor to the Thoroughbred pool and gained a name – and this stellar sale price – as a distinguished pedigree.

This exclusive market in high-end horse sales was further magnified by a price boom through the 80s and 90s. Sold at auction sometimes to the tune of tens of millions of dollars, these exclusive and magnificent beasts continue to attract the attention of royalty and a resume of the rich and famous. While the price may be boosted by speculation on future earnings on both the race track and in show performances which may or may not always be borne out, the anticipation of lucrative progeny is also a factor in creating this exclusive and unique market. Either way, these grand auction prices excite our imagination.