If you're curious about the most expensive racehorses ever sold, the most expensive horse in the world, or how much is the most expensive horse, you're in the right place!
Between the prestigious Kentucky Derby, the Dubai World Cup, the Melbourne Cup, and the Grand National, horse racing is one of the most popular sports all around the world.
The stars of horse racing, of course, are the horses and some of them are worth more than our homes.
Read on to learn which ones cost more than your average McMansion!
READ MORE: Greatest Racehorse of All Time
7 Most Expensive Racehorses Ever Sold
The price of a racehorse varies, depending on factors like their age, conformation, earnings, pedigree, place of purchase, and racing record.
According to Horse Racing Sense, the average price for a racehorse is $76,612.00.
In addition, the average cost for a two-year-old Thoroughbred in training is $94,247.00 and the average cost for a yearling (a horse between one and two years of age) is $84,722.00.
The horses listed below are not average, however, as they sold for much more than the totals above.
#1 Fusaichi Pegasus
Fusaichi Pegasus (known as “FuPeg” by his fans) is a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse .
He was born on April 12, 1997, and sired by Mr. Prospector, an American Thoroughbred racehorse, an outstanding breeding stallion, and a notable sire of sires.
He won the 2000 Kentucky Derby and the 2000 Belmont Stakes and he placed 2nd in the 2000 Preakness Stakes. He sold for $70 million in 2000.
Fusaichi Pegasus was purchased by Coolmore Stud Farm (Fethard, Ireland), the largest Thoroughbred racehorse breeding operation in the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqxGGpT0gdI
#2 Shareef Dancer
Shareef Dancer was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse.
He was born on March 3, 1980, and sired by Northern Dancer, a Canadian Thoroughbred racehorse and one of the most successful sires of the 20th century .
In 5 starts, he had 2 major wins in 1983- the Irish Derby at Curragh Racecourse in Newbridge, Ireland, and the King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot Racecourse in Ascot, England.
He sold for $40 million in 1983. Shareef Dancer was purchased by Sheikh Mohammed, the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He died on May 6, 1999, at the age of 19, when he was euthanized after breaking his leg.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqF7nx9WWt0
#3 The Green Monkey
The Green Monkey was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. He was born on February 4, 2004 and sired by Forestry, an American Thoroughbred racehorse.
Even though he never won a race, his best finish was 3rd place in his racing debut at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
The Green Monkey is in the Guinness World Records for being the most expensive horse sold at auction .
He was sold for $16 million in 2006. The Green Monkey was purchased by Demi O’Byrne, an Irish bloodstock agent.
He died in May 2018, at the age of 14, when he was euthanized due to complications from laminitis, an extremely painful inflammation of the lamina of the hoof.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyggMC85Zsg
ALSO READ: Thoroughbred Horse Price
#4 Seattle Dancer
Seattle Dancer was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. He was born on April 22, 1984, and sired by Nijinsky, a Canadian-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse.
In 1971, he won the British Triple Crown (2000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse in Newmarket, Suffolk, England; The Derby at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Epsom, Surrey, England, and the St Leger Stakes at Doncaster Racecourse in Doncaster, Yorkshire, England).
Seattle Dancer is in the Guinness World Records for being the most expensive yearling sold at a public auction. He was sold for $13.1 million in 1985 .
Seattle Dancer was purchased by John Magnier, an Irish business magnate; Stavros Niarchos, a Greek billionaire shipping tycoon; Vincent O’Brien, an Irish racehorse trainer and Robert Sangster, a British businessman and Thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder.
He died on June 2, 2007, at the age of 23, from a heart attack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q328EMNHK4M
ALSO CHECK: Spotted Horse Breeds
#5 Meydan City
Meydan City was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. He was born on January 12, 2005, and sired by King Mambo, an American-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse, and sire.
He is named after a luxurious development in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He won 2 races in his career, both in 2008- the Xplor Maiden Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse in Newmarket, Suffolk, England, and the Kids Company Conditions Stakes, also at Newmarket Racecourse.
He sold for $11.7 million in 2006. Meydan City was purchased by Sheikh Mohammed.
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#5 Snaafi Dancer
Snaafi Dancer is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. He was born on February 25, 1982, and sired by Northern Dancer.
He never raced a single race and it is rumored that it was due to the fact he was extremely slow. He sold for $10.2 million in 1983, becoming the first yearling to sell for over $10 million.
Snaafi Dancer was purchased by the Aston Upthorpe Stud Farm (owned by Sheikh Mohammed) in Didcot, England.
ALSO READ: Cremello Horse Facts
#7 Jalil
Jalil is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. He was born on February 15, 2004, and sired by Storm Cat, an American Thoroughbred stallion and the leading sire in North America in 1999 and 2000.
He started his racing career at the young age of 2, at the Newmarket Racecourse in Newmarket, Suffolk, England, where he finished in 6th place.
He sold for $9.7 million in 2005. Jalil was purchased by Godolphin (founded by Sheikh Mohammed), one of the world’s largest Thoroughbred horse racing stables and breeding operations, headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Conclusion
There you have it! The top 7 most expensive racehorses ever sold. Some of these horses cost more than the entire GDP of a small country! Astounding, isn't it?
Resources
- 1. Racehorses: How Much do They Cost? They’re not Cheap! Horse Racing Sense. Published July 20, 2021. Accessed December 8, 2021. https://horseracingsense.com/how-much-does-a-racehorses-cost/
- 2. Fusaichi Pegasus (horse). American Classic Pedigrees. Published 2016. Accessed December 8, 2021. http://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/fusaichi-pegasus.html
- 3. Shareef Dancer Thoroughbred. Allbreedpedigree.com. Published 2021. Accessed December 8, 2021. https://www.allbreedpedigree.com/shareef+dancer
- 4. Most expensive horse sold at auction. Guinness World Records. Published February 28, 2006. Accessed December 8, 2021. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-expensive-horse-sold-at-auction
- 5. Most expensive animal. Guinness World Records. Published July 22, 1985. Accessed December 8, 2021. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/62620-most-expensive-animal
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