As a fan of equestrian sports, the $3 million purse at the 2022 Kentucky Derby had me thinking. What have people paid for the most expensive horses in the world?
And thinking that maybe I could invest some of my money into owning a fantastic horse, I did some research. The most expensive horses come from various activities, including dressage, racing, and showjumping. All the horses that made this list are worth millions of dollars, so I don't think I'll be able to invest in owning any of them anytime soon. With that said, here's the list of the most expensive horses in the world!
Table of Contents Show
1. Fusaichi Pegasus
Price: $72 Million
While Fusaichi Pegasus was once best known for winning the 2000 Kentucky Derby, he is probably now better known for being the most expensive horse ever sold at $72 million. The buyer was Coolmore Stud, an Irish breeder known for being the world's largest breeder of thoroughbred horses.
The shockingly high price of $70 Million shattered the old record of $40 Million. Then owner Fusao Sekiguchi cashed in on a moment of brilliance in that 2000 Kentucky Derby win. After Fusaichi Pegasus failed to win the Preakness Stakes, Sekiguchi elected to have the horse skip the Belmont stakes and ultimately decided to sell. He would finish his horse racing career with just under $2 Million in total prize money.
Pegasus would have a disappointing career as both a racer and a stud.
2. Shareef Dancer
Price: $40 Million
Shareef Dancer was a champion racehorse who competed in some of the biggest events in the world. He was owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai, and trained by legendary Irish trainer Vincent O'Brien. Shareef Dancer's most notable victory came in the 1981 Irish Derby, where he defeated reigning Epsom Derby champion Shergar.
He competed in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth Stakes but could not add another major win to his resume. Shareef Dancer retired from racing in 1983 and was later sold to a Japanese breeding farm for a then-record price of $40 million. He must have carried quite the stud fee.
While his racing career may have been relatively short-lived, Shareef Dancer left a lasting impression on the sport of horse racing.
3. The Green Monkey
The Green Money was an American Thoroughbred racehorse that was sold at an auction in 2006 for $16,000,000. The sale set the record for the highest price ever paid at auction for a Thoroughbred, recognized as the most expensive horse breed in the world.
The Green Monkey has an impressive pedigree, and his sire (father) is none other than the great Secretariat. The Green Monkey is a beautiful chestnut colt with a white blaze, and he stands at 16 hands (64 inches) tall. He is an excellent jumper and has won several championships in show jumping.
The Green Monkey is a gentle giant, and he is loved by all who know him. He currently resides on a farm in Kentucky, where he enjoys playing in the fields and spending time with his equine friends.
4. Palloubet d’Halong
Price: $16 Million
Palloubet d’Halong is one of the most expensive horses in the world. Qatar’s Al Shaqab Racing purchased the stallion for $16 million in 2013. Palloubet d’Halong is a nine-year-old, chestnut-colored French show horse. He is known for his extraordinary jumping ability and has won numerous championships, including the World Cup Final in 2013 and the European Championship in 2014.
Palloubet d’Halong’s purchase price reflects the high demand for top show jumping horses.
4. Seattle Dancer
Price: $13.1 Million
Seattle Dancer became the most expensive yearling ever sold in 1985 at the Keeneland yearling sale. Seattle Dancer's dam, My Charmer, was also the Dam of Seattle Slew, winner of the 1977 Triple Crown. According to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Northern Dancer, one of the most influential sires in Thoroughbred history, sired Seattle Dancer.
5. Meydan City
Price: $11.7 Million
Sheikh Mohammed owns two horses on this list. Meydan City is one of the horses he owns. The Emir of Dubai has an affinity for expensive horses and has spent a lot of money on his hobby over the years. Meydan City was also a sibling of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew.
Meydan City did not have a successful career in his short time as a racehorse.
6. Snaafi Dancer
Price: $10.2 Million
Sheikh Mohammed also owns Snaafi Dancer. Northern Dancer sired Snaafi Dancer. At the time of this horse's auction at Keenland in 1983, he was the most expensive yearling ever sold at $10.2 Million. Seattle Dancer eclipsed that record two years later.
Aston Upthorpe Stud (owned by Sheikh Mohammed) purchased Snaafi. Snaafi also experienced fertility problems when put up for stud duty.
7. Totilas aka Moorlands Totilas
Price: $10 Million
Moorland Totilas is one of the most successful equestrian horses in history. “Toto” is a Dutch Warmblood horse. At $10 Million, Totilas is one of the most expensive dressage horses in the world.
In 2010, Totilas became the only dressage horse to win all 3 Gold Medals at the Fei World Equestrian Games. Between the World Championships and European Championships, the horse with the beautiful black coat won 5 Gold Medals in all.
Conclusion
The prices for these horses are immense, but this list also shows how expensive Thoroughbred horses are. There are no Arabian horses, Friesian horses, and only one dutch warmblood in the top 8.
