8 Most Expensive Horse Breeds
Everyone knows that horses cost a pretty penny. They're large animals that are pricy to breed, feed, and transport, plus there's potential to make money through horseracing, showing, and other equestrian sports. Discover what the most expensive horse breeds are, and the exorbitant prices select horses have cost.
| Horse Breed | Average Price |
| Dutch Warmblood | $5,000 to $25,000 |
| Oldenburg | $10,000 to $25,000 |
| Holsteiner | $10,000 to $30,000 |
| Arabian | $5,000 to $50,000 |
| Akhal-Teke | $10,000 to $50,000 |
| Friesian | $20,000 to $50,000 |
| Andalusian | $10,000 to $60,000 |
| Thoroughbred | $75,000 to $300,000 |
8. Dutch Warmblood: $5,000 to $25,000
The Dutch warmblood is a horse breed from the Netherlands that is generally bred for dressage, show jumping, and other competitive equestrian events. These athletic horses are also known for being calm and easy to handle. Dutch warmbloods typically cost anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000, depending on their bloodline.
The most expensive Dutch Warmblood to date was Totilas, fondly referred to as "Toto," who reportedly sold for somewhere around 10 million Euros (~$10.7 million USD).
7. Oldenburg: $10,000 to $25,000
The Oldenburg is another warmblood breed that hails from Germany and can be priced between $10,000 to $25,000. They were originally used as carriage horses but quickly became equestrian event horses due to their power. Some Oldenburgs can fetch incredibly high prices.
One of the most iconic Oldenburgs ever sold was a stallion named Vivat Rex, who went for over $200,000 USD at auction.
6. Holsteiner: $10,000 to $30,000
The perfect combination of strength and elegance, the Holsteiner is a well-known and expensive horse breed. They're most notably used for sport jumping and can be priced around $10,000 to $30,000, depending on pedigree and training.
5. Arabian: $5,000 to $50,000
Arabian horses are one of the most attractive and egnimatic breeds out there, and along with their beauty comes a high price tag. You can expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 or more for an Arabian horse. They're typically used for endurance racing, thanks to their stamina.
Apparently, the most expensive horse of this breed is a stallion called Marwan Al Shaqab, who is worth $20 million.
4. Akhal-Teke: $10,000 to $50,000
The Akhal-Teke horse is an incredibly rare and stunning breed from Turkmenistan. They have a shimmery golden coat, which is fitting, considering they cost a whole lot of gold. Most Akhal-Teke horses are priced between %10,000 and $50,000, though they can be difficult to find.
3. Friesian: $20,000 to $50,000
Another rare breed, the Friesian, nearly went extinct in the early to mid-1900s. Fortunately, their numbers are climbing, though these horses are still considered rare. This has driven their popularity and, therefore, the price up. Friesians can cost upwards of $50,000.
2. Andalusian: $10,000 to $60,000
Andalusian horses are intelligent and strong animals that were traditionally used as war horses and in the bullfighting ring. The breed is still used in bullfighting today, though they've become more versatile and participate in many equestrian events and activities. An Andalusian horse can cost $10,000 to $60,000 or more.
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1. Thoroughbred: $75,000 to $300,000
The most expensive horse breed is the iconic thoroughbred. This breed is known for its speed and is used primarily as racehorses. Depending on the bloodline, age, and ability of a thoroughbred, you're looking at dropping at least $75,000 on one of these pricy horses, although most cost much more than that.
The most expensive horse in history was a thoroughbred name Fusaichi Pegasus, who sold for a whopping $72 million.
Most Expensive Horses of All Time
If you're looking for a pet, you probably don't want to spend more on a horse than you would on a house. However, buying a horse from a high-performance bloodline can be a worthwhile investment for those interested in horseracing. Whether or not you're interested in horses, it can be fun to know just how much these majestic creatures cost.
