Horses have played an important part in human history for thousands of years — whether pulling carts, winning battles, or racing for glory. Their role has changed over time, and they’re now mostly seen in competitive sports. This means that those at the top of the sport are fast and incredibly valuable, with their prices often galloping into tens of millions.
What Makes a Horse Worth Millions
Horse racing is much more than just waiting to see who crosses the finish line first. Billionaire investors and royal families do a lot behind the scenes to ensure they have the best horses in the world.
Speed is one of the key factors, but they also look at pedigree, temperament, and physical condition to determine whether a horse has what it takes to succeed. The goal is also to create a name that holds value in the breeding world. A single champion can also lead to a line of valuable offspring and generate millions in stud fees over time.
Of course, horses that perform the best are viewed as the most valuable assets in both racing and breeding circles.
For example, one of the most valuable horses of today is Sovereignty, the winner of both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes of 2025. If you go through the adventuregames.com review of the best online sportsbooks, you’ll find plenty of platforms where Sovereignty is already listed as the favorite to win the 2025 Breeders’ Cup as well.
Horses like this often drive prices into the millions, not only for what they can win today, but also the legacy they can leave behind.
With that said, let’s look at some of the most expensive horses of all time.
Fusaichi Pegasus
Fusaichi Pegasus tops the list of the most expensive horses ever sold. The American thoroughbred won the 2000 Kentucky Derby and was later sold to Coolmore Stud in Ireland for a record fee of $70 million.
He continued to perform well in races, but his career didn’t match the sale price. However, what truly drove up his value was his potential as a sire. His bloodline has gone on to produce several Grade 1 champions, including Bandini and Roman Ruler, ensuring his legacy continues long after his career on the track.
Justify
Next on our list of the most expensive horses of all time is Justify, who had a meteoric rise to fame. After he made his racing debut as a two-year-old, his breeding rights were sold to Coolmore Stud for a reported fee of $60 million. The deal included a $25 million bonus if he won the Triple Crown, which he ultimately achieved.
Justify’s pedigree was another major factor in his value. Sired by the famous Scot Daddy and backed by a strong dam line, he was one of the most sought-after stallions in the world.
Shareef Dancer
When Shareef Dancer was sold for $40 million in 1983, it was the highest price ever paid for a horse at the time. The fee was largely tied to his outstanding pedigree, as he was sired by the legendary Northern Dancer.
He picked up some major wins during his career, including the Irish Derby and the King Edward VII Stakes. Like most other expensive horses, he was also seen as a long-term investment due to his potential as a stud.
In his breeding career, Shareef Dancer sired several successful runners, with the biggest name being Bet Twice, who won the 1987 Belmont Stakes.
The Green Monkey
Bred in the US and trained in Ireland, The Green Monkey was sold in 2006 for a staggering $16 million. At the time, it was the highest ever fee paid for a racehorse at just two years old. He was another descendant of the famous Northern Dancer, and the expectations were extremely high.
Unfortunately, the Green Monkey never lived up to those expectations. He suffered an injury in his debut and ended up racing only three times. He didn’t record a single win and earned just $10,440. After retiring early, he was moved to stud duties, but his impact there was minimal as well.
Palloubet d’Halong
Last on our list is Palloubet d’Halong, who was sold for $15 million in 2013. Bought by Dutch show jumper Jan Tops as a gift for his wife, the horse proved to be a valuable investment in the world of show jumping.
Palloubet d’Halong competed in numerous international competitions where he performed well and achieved strong results.
