The equestrian world has witnessed some incredible moments in the sales ring, with jumpers and thoroughbreds achieving record-breaking prices – and going on to leave a lasting impact on the sport. Those horses leading the way on the racing cards can be worth a fortune.
The most recent example is Caldwell Potter, who was recently sold for just short of a million. So, with that being said, let’s take a look at some of the biggest sales in the equestrian world.
Caldwell Potter’s Million-Euro Aspiration
As mentioned above, one of the most recent examples is Caldwell Potter, a Grade 1 winner trained by Gordon Elliott, who recently captured attention in the sales ring. Despite falling just about falling short of the million-euro mark, his sale for €740,000 at Tattersalls Ireland set a new record for the highest price achieved by a jumper at any public auction.
The six-year-old grey, son of Martaline, had showcased his enormous potential by winning the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown – earning him a Timeform rating of 147p. His sale attracted big-time bidders, ultimately being bought by John Hales, Ged Mason, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Peter Done – with Paul Nicholls as the trainer.
▶ Fusaichi Pegasus – £70 Million (2000)
Fusaichi Pegasus, a Thoroughbred racehorse, gained fame in 2000 as the winner of the Kentucky Derby. In the same year, he was bought for a record-breaking £70 million, which was the highest price ever paid for a racehorse.
This acquisition propelled Fusaichi Pegasus well into the spotlight – and he continued his success by winning the 2000 Irish Derby and the Dubai World Cup… setting new world records. He may have retired in 2003, but Fusaichi Pegasus went on to sire a number of successful racehorses.
▶ Justify – £60 Million (2018)
The sale of the Thoroughbred horse Justify in 2018 for a staggering £60 million set a new record for the highest price paid for a racehorse at the time. Justify’s immense price tag was justified by his incredible achievement of winning the Triple Crown in 2018 – a feat that has only ever been achieved by twelve other horses in the history of horse racing.
Despite starting his racing career in February of that year, his exceptional genetics, with a famous speed horse as his sire and a proven producer as his dam, unsurprisingly made him highly sought-after by breeders.
▶ Shareef Dancer – £40 Million (1983)
In 1983, Shareef Dancer became the world’s most expensive racehorse when he was sold for an astonishing £40 million, which was the highest price ever paid for a racehorse at that time.
Descended from the legendary racehorse Northern Dancer, Shareef Dancer’s sale made news all over the world. After his purchase, he earned his money… and became one of the most successful racehorses in the world, enjoying numerous wins, including the 1985 Breeders’ Cup Mile and the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap. He went on to sire successful foals, including the 1987 Belmont Stakes winner, Bet Twice.
▶ The Green Monkey – £16 Million (2006)
Sold for a massive £16 million in 2006, The Green Monkey holds the record of being the most expensive two-year-old racehorse ever sold. A chestnut Thoroughbred with a lineage that can be traced back to Northern Dancer and Secretariat, there were high expectations for The Green Monkey.
Despite an impressive track record – including a debut at the 2006 Royal Ascot meeting in England, the horse faced a premature end to its racing career due to injury… thus failing to live up to his hype and earning only $10,000. Sadly, The Green Monkey had to be euthanized at the age of 14 due to severe laminitis.
▶ Palloubet D’Halong – £15 Million (2013)
Finally, we have Palloubet d’Halong, a showjumper valued at £15 million, who made headlines in 2013. Bought as a gift for Australian rider Edwina Alexander by her husband, Jan Tops, an Olympic gold medallist, Palloubet d’Halong was a top performer in show jumping competitions across the world.
In 2013, the horse enjoyed a number of successes, winning the Grand Prix of Rome and the Grand Prix of La Coruna in Spain and securing a second-place finish in the Grand Prix of Aachen, Germany. Successful horses – and those with a verified and distinguished lineage can be sold for millions. We have no doubt that in the future, there will be even bigger sales… and as more and more people become interested in investing in the world of horse racing, the possibilities are endless.