The price of a horse will be determined by the speed, breed, and special racing capabilities. Sometimes, the horse’s beauty is the key factor in making its price.
Below are the 10 most expensive horse breeds with the highest-priced horse of each type. Also, there are reasons for their top price tag.
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Top 10 Most Expensive Horse Breeds in the World
1. Selle Francais: $15,000 – millions
The most expensive horse: Palloubet d’Halong ($15.2 million)
Selle Francais is outstanding in the Olympic and Grand Prix showjumping arena. Besides, they can be used for eventing, dressage, combined driving, vaulting, and competitive trail riding.
They are strong, athletic, elegant, intelligent, and willing, becoming the ultimate sport horse breed. In addition, they learn fast, so they are ideal for novice and professional riders as well.
They are hardy, easy keepers, and thriving on simple feed. In addition, they have terrific impulsion, broad hindquarters, and strong hocks, which are perfect for show jumping.
The Selle Français has been used to improve other breeds such as the Holsteiner, Oldenburg, Dutch Warmblood, and Zangersheide.
As they are the popular choice in top-level show jumping globally, they are amongst horse breeds with the highest price.
2. Dutch Warmblood: $4,000 – millions
The most expensive horse: Totilas Toto ($13 million)
This is amongst the most successful performance horse breeds. It exudes in dressage, eventing, showjumping, and combined riding. Hence, it is commonly referred to as “sport horse.”
It can cost millions of dollars to buy a highly skilled Dutch Warmblood with a competitive Olympic show record.
Prior to World War II, in the Netherlands, this horse breed was famous for being stylish and strong.
Dutch Warmblood horses are mainly solid colored black, bay, brown, gray, and chestnut. They are large, well-muscled, and powerful. They are willing to tackle formidable objects but have the joy to “dance” in music in dressage.
And, of course, it is one of the most luxurious horse breeds in the world.
3. Thoroughbred: $500 – millions
The highest price: Fusaichi Pegasus ($70 million)
Thoroughbred is popular for professional racing in England. This is one of the most expensive racehorse breeds on earth.
Their short legs help them a lot in delivering long strides with perfect stability and balance. In addition, they have broad chests, slender bodies, and short backs, which are ideal for horse racing.
Also, they have a reputation for exceptional speed and stamina. Thoroughbred is one of the most high-spirited and sensitive breeds of horses.
Like other horses, they need proper care and high maintenance to help them be one of the most expensive racehorse breeds.
4. Oldenburg: $4,000 – $500,000
The most expensive horse: Vivat Rex (200,000 euro)
Oldenburger is known as a sport horse with excellent jumping ability. Most of them are black, brown, chestnut, bay, or grey.
Although the quality of their diligent-open walk, active-elastic trot, or uphill-adjustable canter is highly individual, their gaits are indeed suitable for sport. In addition, their gaits are rhythmical at all times.
In terms of fences, Oldenburgers also show some talent over other breeds. They can jump over fences with great technique.
However, most Oldenburgers are too slow for eventing if they are not directly sired by a Thoroughbred.
In 2001, as having been very successful in show jumping, the Oldenburger Verband was #7 in the WBFSH ranking. However, in 2006, they were #3 in the ranking, lower than Hanoverian and Dutch Warmblood.
5. Hanoverian: $7,000 – $100,000
The most expensive horse: Lemony Nicket ($1,125,000)
Hanoverian horses commonly rank highly in the WBFSH rankings with high price tags.
They are excellent athletes that are perfect for many disciplines. In addition, they exude in the hunter arena – the show of speed which is not easy for any horse to defeat.
Many of the finest Hanoverian horses are imported from Germany, which makes it so luxurious.
6. Friesian: $7,000 – $100,000
The most expensive horse: Palloubet d’Halong ($15 million)
With shiny black skin, Friesian is such a beautiful horse. Their strong point is the intelligence and keenness.
They have the capacity of stamina to tackle and stay calm in a battleground. So along with their high speed, they became the best war horses.
Interestingly, they are one of the most graceful horse breeds. It takes a few days to get acquainted, but they will be your most loyal soul once they are familiar with you. That is why Friesian is so luxurious.
7. Quarter Horse: $500 – $50,000
The most expensive horse: Moonin The Eagle ($2.1 million)
This is one of the most valuable horse breeds in the US. They are in a group of fastest horses worldwide who can outrun other horses by a quarter-mile in any race. Here comes its name.
They are mainly used for competing in rodeo events such as calf roping, barrel racing, and team roping. The competitive nature is their feature.
Also, they can be used in professional horse riding and competitive events.
8. Akhal-Teke: $5,000 – $35,000
Akhal-Teke is amongst the rarest horse breed on the planet, which brings it to the top high price.
It is the national horse of Turkmenistan. Just about 8,000 Akhal-Teke horses are living on earth.
The Akhal-Teke breed is famous for its beautiful coat, which is usually recognized as metallic by mistake. However, it is because of the special hair structure that it creates incredible shine.
Also, it is outstanding for its incredible endurance.
9. Gypsy Vanner: $4,000 – $30,000
This is one of the most beautiful animals on earth that I have ever seen. Its skin color is a mix of black and white with long hair on its head.
Contrary to its beauty, Gypsy Vanner has a gypsy soul (that is why its name is).
They really love running and have a heart for jumping. They can jump over 4ft in a single stride. That is why they are often used in racing and jumping competitions.
They are very friendly so that they can be a perfect domestic help. You can have them as pets.
10. Arabian: $5,000 – $20,000
The most expensive horse: Pepita ($1.5 millions)
This is one of the most expensive horse breeds in the world. However, it is also one of the oldest horse breeds known in human society.
In the early 1980s, they became popular as people started breeding and marketing them. This made its price increase and became a symbol in Arab. Due to their beautiful shape and friendliness, they also became famous in the US later.
The speed and beauty, which are unmatchable, make them on top of the most expensive horse breed nowadays.
Conclusion
So, above are the Top 10 most expensive horse breeds. Remember that the price of the horse will vary depending on breeds, standards of care, and plan to use. Also, most expensive horses do not mean better performance later if they do not get good care.
If you are planning to buy an equine companion, think about the total cost of raising your horse beyond the price you have to pay.
