Most Expensive Horses of all Time

Jalil – $9.7 million Jalil is an American Thoroughbred who was purchased in 2005 as a yearling for $9.7 million. He is the grandson of Northern Dancer, and sired by Storm Cat. He wasn’t especially successful in racing and was retired to stand at stud in China in 2011. His descendants, for the most part, were not especially notable in performance.

Snaafi Dancer – $10.2 million This Thoroughbred Racehorse made history as the first yearling to sell for over $10 million. The actual purchase price was $10.2 million. He never raced, however, despite his impressive pedigree as a son of Northern Dancer. He was rumored to be “embarrassingly slow” and retired to stud.

Meydan City – $11.7 million A gorgeous bay Thoroughbred with a nice pedigree came through with an $11.7 million purchase price as a yearling. Meydan City won his second race after finishing third in his first. His sire was Kingmambo and his dam, Crown of Crimson was by Seattle Slew. He was fairly successful as a stud. 

Seattle Dancer – $13.1 million Seattle Dancer was a son of Nijinsky, sired by Northern Dancer, who became the most expensive yearling ever sold at public auction in 1985. Sold for $13.1 million. He raced five times and won two of those races before being retired to stand at stud.

Moorland’s Totilas (Toto) – $9.5 – $15 million Sometimes found listed as only Totilas, this Dutch Warmblood is the only dressage horse found on the list. He is said to be the world’s best dressage horse ever to live. Nicknamed “Toto,” he is the first horse to score above 90 in dressage. This expensive horse was retired from competition in 2015 after a very successful career. 

Palloubet D’Halong – $15 million This horse has the honor of being the only showjumper on the list of most expensive horses. Not a bad showing for his discipline at $15 million. Jan Tops paid the record-breaking price for the then 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding who had made an impressive showing at the PSI European Championship as well as finishing second in the Aachen Rolex Grand Prix.

The Green Monkey – $16 million Thought to be the biggest waste of money ever spent on a horse, this horse was an American Thoroughbred racehorse descended from Northern Dancer and Secretariat. He never lived up to his hype, however, only earning a little over $10,000.

Annihilator – $19 million Some online sources don’t mention Annihilator as one of the most expensive horses, but he reportedly brought $19 million, which would mean he was well deserving of a place on the list of most expensive horses of all time.

Shareef Dancer – $40 million An American bred and British trained racehorse, Shareef Dancer brought an impressive $40 million. The stallion was sired by Northern Dancer. He had five starts, finishing first in three races, second in one, and failing to place in the fifth. He was sire to several notable progenies.

Fusaichi Pegasus – $70 million Fusaichi Pegasus is the most expensive horse ever costing $70 million. Living up to the mythical, this Thoroughbred racehorse won the Kentucky Derby in 2000. He has career earnings of almost $2 million and sired of over 75 stakes winners worldwide.