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The 5 Most Expensive Horse Auctions in the World—One Ended Tragically

SARGA.CO

SARGA.CO – Racehorses that win championships don’t just bring home prize money and trophies. A win immediately boosts a horse’s status among its peers.

With a championship title, a horse becomes highly sought after by enthusiasts of these single-hoofed athletes.

And it's not just race winners—horses that dominate in equestrian events like show jumping, eventing, and dressage also see their value skyrocket.

Owning one of these champion horses isn’t easy. Prospective owners need more than just a love for horses—they need deep pockets. We're talking tens to hundreds of billions of rupiah.

The 5 Most Expensive Horse Auctions

According to SARGA News via sothebysrealty.ae, here are the five most expensive horses ever sold at auction:

The 5 Most Expensive Horse Auctions

1. The Green Monkey – $16 million (2006)

The Green Monkey made headlines by setting the record for a two-year-old auction horse, selling for US$16 million (approx. Rp260 billion) in 2006.

A descendant of two legendary horses, Northern Dancer and Secretariat, this chestnut Thoroughbred carried massive expectations.

Trained for flat-track racing, The Green Monkey was set to debut at the prestigious 2006 Royal Ascot but was sidelined by injury. Despite his impressive bloodline, he fell short of expectations, earning only $10,000 in his racing career.

Tragically, he was euthanized at age 14 due to severe laminitis, ending the story of a horse once destined for greatness.

2. Annihilator – $19 million

Though not often listed among the world’s most famous racehorses, Annihilator sold for a staggering $19 million (Rp308 billion).

His racing career earned only $3,000 in prize money, and his offspring failed to meet expectations.

However, his striking dark brown mane made him stand out in show arenas.

A descendant of the renowned Niatross and Wish Me Wings, Annihilator had an impressive pedigree. Owned by HD Woodhouse and M. Sakura, his high price reflected his lineage and potential, even if his performance and breeding success didn’t live up to the hype.

3. Shareef Dancer – $40 million (1983)

British-American racehorse Shareef Dancer achieved legendary status in 1983 when he was sold for a record-breaking $40 million (Rp648 billion), thanks to his outstanding bloodline as a descendant of Northern Dancer.

This historic sale highlighted the global scale of the horse racing industry.

Shareef Dancer lived up to his price tag, becoming one of the era’s most prominent racehorses with wins in prestigious races like the 1985 Breeders' Cup Mile and the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap.
His legacy continued through successful offspring, including Bet Twice, winner of the 1987 Belmont Stakes.

4. Justify – $60 million (2018)

Justify fetched $60 million (Rp973 billion) at auction—a reflection of his incredible racing achievements and flawless pedigree.

As the 2018 Triple Crown winner, he joined an elite group of just 13 horses in history to achieve this feat.

What made Justify’s victory even more remarkable was the brevity of his career, which began in February of that same year.

With a sire known for speed and a proven dam, his genetics were highly sought after by breeders.

His undefeated record and early retirement made him one of the most valuable assets in racing and breeding circles.

5. Fusaichi Pegasus – $70 million (2000)

The legendary Thoroughbred Fusaichi Pegasus raced into history with a dazzling career, highlighted by his victory at the 2000 Kentucky Derby.

His record-breaking purchase price of $70 million (Rp1.13 trillion) cemented his status as the most expensive horse ever sold, garnering global attention.

With wins in prestigious races like the Irish Derby and Dubai World Cup, Fusaichi Pegasus set a new standard of excellence in horse racing.

Even in retirement, his legacy endured through successful progeny, including Grade 1 winners like Bandini, Roman Ruler, Champ Pegasus, and Haradasun.

His name—a fusion of owner Fusao Sekiguchi and the mythological figure Pegasus—symbolizes his lasting impact on the racing world

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