The thoroughbred industry relies on bloodlines and breeding to maintain the centuries old lineage of the greatest horses to grace the world.
A strong breeding page brings the promise of supreme talent. It doesn’t always work out that way, but we are looking at some of the most expensive racehorses to be sold.
Top 10 Most expensive horses ever sold
Fusaichi Pegasus – $70 million (2000)
Fusaichi Pegasus currently holds the title of the most expensive horse in history, having sold for a whopping $70m after winning the Kentucky Derby in 2000. His name was a fusion of owner Fusao Sekiguchi’s name and a Greek mythological figure, he was the first favourite to win the Kentucky Derby since Spectacular Bid in 1979 and the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby without winning a race as a two-year-old since Proud Clarion.
Justify – $60 million (2018)
Winner of the American Triple Crown in 2018, Justify joined an elite group of only 13 horses in history to accomplish wins in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. It was all the more remarkable for the fact he debuted only in February of his Classic year. With impeccable breeding credentials and superb form on the track, he fetched a tall price when sold.
Shareef Dancer – $40 million (1983)
Breeding is everything and Shareef Dancer’s lineage could trace back to the magnificent Northern Dancer, a huge contributing factor to his sale in 1983 for a staggering $40m. His wins on the track included the 1985 Breeders’ Cup Mile and the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, and he went on to sire many future stars.
Annihilator – $19 million (1990)
Annihilator changed hands for the princely sum of $19m in 1990, the second-highest price ever paid for a yearling at that point, but his racing career yielded only $3,000 in prize money and his progeny didn’t match expectations so it was not a wise investment in the end.
The Green Monkey – $16 million (2006)
The Green Monkey was originally sold as a yearling for $425,000 but a smart piece of work on the track led to arch-rivals Coolmore and Godolphin locking horns in the Sales ring and, seven months later, he was knocked down for $16m.
Unfortunately for the Coolmore team, it wasn’t going to prove a wise investment. Sent into training with Todd Pletcher, he returned form figures of 344 with $10,440 in prize-money and was retired to stud at a modest fee of $5,000. Monkey Business, who won the 2015 fillies’ Triple Crown in Panama, was one of a few progeny of note.
Palloubet D’halong – $15 million (2013)
A showjumper of exceptional talent, Palloubet made great waves in 2013 when he was sold for $15 million, making him the most expensive show horse ever sold. He won prestigious events, including the Grand Prix of Rome and La Coruna.
Moorland’s Totilas – $15 million (2010)
‘Toto’, as he was known, was a Dutch Warmblood stallion celebrated as one of the world’s premier dressage horses. He won gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics for the Netherlands team and picked up three gold medals at the 2010 World Equestrian Games and set new records in his field.
German sport horse breeder Paul Schockemöhle acquired Toto for an estimated $15m in October 2010.
Better Than Honour – $14 million (2008)
She enjoyed nothing more than a modest racing career but Better Than Honour descended from the esteemed lineage of Kentucky Oaks winner Blush With Pride as her dam and Deputy Minister as her sire. It was in the breeding shed where she truly excelled after Coolmore bought her for $2m in 2005. Her offspring included Belmont Stakes winners Jazil and Rags To Riches and she later fetched a record-breaking $14m in 2008.
Seattle Dancer – $13.1 million (1985)
In 1985, Seattle Dancer was sold for over $13m, making him the world’s most expensive yearling ever sold at public auction. Seattle Dancer’s sire, Nijinsky, remains the most recent winner of the British Triple Crown flat series.
Meydan City – $11.7 million (2006)
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum purchased Meydan City in 2006 for $11.7m. He was trained by Saeed bin Suroor, but his life on the track was modest, winning only one race, the Group 2 UAE Derby in 2007, but he held value as a stallion to the thoroughbred breeding industry with his distinguished pedigree and lineage.