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HomeHorse Racing10 of the Most Expensive Thoroughbred Race Horse Sales

10 of the Most Expensive Thoroughbred Race Horse Sales

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“From the legendary Fusaichi Pegasus to the record-breaking broodmare Better Than Honour, each of these horses has made their mark on the racing and breeding industries, and their high sale prices reflect their exceptional talent and potential.”

10 of the Most Expensive Thoroughbred Race Horse sales

The world of high-end horse sales has always been an exclusive and fascinating one, and these horses represent some of the most expensive animals ever sold. From the legendary Fusaichi Pegasus to the record-breaking broodmare Better Than Honour, each of these horses has made their mark on the racing and breeding industries, and their high sale prices reflect their exceptional talent and potential.

 

  1. Fusaichi Pegasus – $70 million in 2000  Born in 1997, Fusaichi Pegasus was a racehorse who won the Kentucky Derby in 2000. After retiring from racing, he became a successful breeding stallion. He was sold for $70 million in 2000 to Coolmore Stud, making him the most expensive horse ever sold at the time.
  2. Justify – $60 million in 2018 Justify is a chestnut Thoroughbred racehorse born in 2015 in Kentucky, USA. He made his racing debut in February 2018 and quickly established himself as a rising star, winning his first three races. He went on to win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, becoming the 13th horse in history to win the Triple Crown. After retiring from racing with an undefeated record, Justify was sold for $60 million to Coolmore Stud, one of the world’s leading thoroughbred breeding operations. The sale price made him the most expensive horse ever sold at public auction in North America, surpassing the previous record of $16 million set by The Green Monkey in 2006. Justify’s success on the track and his pedigree as a son of the legendary stallion Scat Daddy made him an extremely valuable prospect in the breeding industry.
  3. Shareef Dancer – $40 million in 1983  Shareef Dancer was a Thoroughbred racehorse born in 1980. He was sold for $40 million in 1983, which was a world record at the time. He won the Irish Derby and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 1983.
  4. The Green Monkey – $16 million in 2006  The Green Monkey was a Thoroughbred racehorse born in 2004. He was sold for $16 million in 2006 as a two-year-old, which was a record price for a horse sold at public auction. Despite the high price tag, he never won a race and was retired in 2008.
  5. Better Than Honour – $14 million in 2008 (sold in-foal to a stallion):  Better Than Honour was a Thoroughbred mare born in 1996 in Kentucky, USA. She was sired by Deputy Minister and out of the mare Blush With Pride. She was a successful racehorse in her own right, winning three races in six starts. However, she is perhaps best known for her success as a broodmare. Her offspring include two Belmont Stakes winners, Jazil and Rags to Riches, the latter of which famously defeated Curlin in the 2007 Belmont Stakes. In 2008, Better Than Honour was sold in-foal to stallion Galileo for a record-breaking $14 million at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale. This made her the most expensive broodmare ever sold at that time.
  6. Seattle Dancer – $13.1 million in 1985  Seattle Dancer was a Thoroughbred racehorse born in 1984. He was sold for $13.1 million in 1985, which was a record price at the time. He won the Irish Derby and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 1986.
  7. Meydan City – $11.7 million in 2006  Meydan City was a Thoroughbred racehorse born in 2004. He was sold for $11.7 million in 2006, making him one of the most expensive horses ever sold at the time. He was trained by Saeed bin Suroor and won the Group 2 UAE Derby in 2007.
  8. Snaafi Dancer – $10.2 million in 1983  Snaafi Dancer was a Thoroughbred racehorse born in 1982. He was sold for $10.2 million in 1983, which was a world record price at the time. He won the St. Leger Stakes in 1984.
  9. Jalil – $9.7 million in 2005  Jalil was a Thoroughbred racehorse born in 2003. He was sold for $9.7 million in 2005, which was a record price for a yearling sold at public auction. He won two races in his career and was retired to stud in 2008.
  10. Announce – $8.4 million in 2014
    Announce was a Thoroughbred mare born in 2011 in France. She was sired by the stallion Selkirk and out of the mare Time Ahead. Announce was a talented racehorse in her own right, winning four races in her career including the Group 1 Prix de l’Opera in 2014. However, it was her potential as a broodmare that led to her being sold for $8.4 million at the 2014 Tattersalls December Mare Sale in Newmarket, England. Announce was sold in-foal to the stallion Dubawi, who is one of the most successful stallions in the world. With her successful racing career and impressive pedigree, Announce was a highly sought-after mare in the breeding industry.

 

 

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