12 Most Expensive Horse Breeds in 2022 (With Price & Pictures)

It is said that a great horse can change one’s life. True. Horses are valuable, and that is why some are far more expensive than the rest.

Several factors can impact horses’ price, sometimes making an airplane cheaper than them! Most factors that count include breed, age, performance, and track records. Based on these and many other factors like population and rarity, we have created a list of the most expensive horse breeds in the world. If you want to just know about expensive horses or get yourself one, saddle up to get baffled by the hefty price tags of these expensive horses.

Expensive Horse Breeds

12. The Gypsy Vanner – Up to USD 10,000

The Gypsy Vanner breed can be costly due to its rarity. Nonetheless, other factors such as training, bloodlines, color, and age also play an important role in determining their price tag. A less trained Gypsy Vanner usually costs between USD 3,000 and 6,000. Being very versatile, they are often present at traditional horse fairs.

The Gypsy Vanner horse breed was created in the 19^th century. The ancestors of these steeds are mostly the Shire and the Clydesdale breeds.

11. The Hanoverian – Up to USD 15,000

Having a record full of success, the Hanoverian horse is an expensive breed. Hanoverians have, in fact, won several gold medals in different Olympics events.

Excelling in equestrian disciplines, the Hanoverian is an old warmblood horse breed having originated in Germany about four centuries ago. Different horse breeds, including Thoroughbred, Cleveland Bay, and Holsteiner, took part in their development.

In 2014, a Russian couple paid a record USD 3.26 million for a Hanoverian horse named Dante.

10. The Shire – Up to USD 20,000

Being endangered and having twice the size of most of the horse breeds, the Shire makes its place among the most expensive horses in the world. The Shire is one of the largest horse breeds, making their maintenance a bit costly.

The Shire breed is believed to have originated in Lincolnshire and Cambridge Shire during the mid-18^th century. After the industrial revolution, Shires nearly went extinct. Either their breeding stopped, or it went ahead at a very slow pace. They were traditionally used for agriculture and carts-pulling; however, today, they are mostly seen in forest works and hobby riding.

9. The Oldenburg – Up to USD 25,000

Oldenburg horses used in dressage are very expensive because of their excellence in it. They can, sometimes, cost as much as USD 150,000. Nonetheless, the average price is low – up to 25,000 U.S. dollars.

Originating around the 16^th century, the Oldenburg is one of the oldest warmblood horse breeds in Europe. These horses were solely used in carriage and farming earlier.

In 2018, Vivat Rex, an Oldenburg, was sold for USD 236,000. He was born in 2015 and is currently owned by OPS-Horse.

8. The Trakehner – Up to USD 30,000

The small number of Trakehner horses makes the breed expensive. Likewise, being among dog eventing horse breeds and having intelligence, endurance, and competing tendencies, these horses are much valuable. However, non-competing Trakehners are low in price – around USD 7,500 for a foal.

Originating from East Prussia, the Trakehner is among the oldest riding horses in the world. These steeds are also very old in terms of being warm-blooded.

Born in 2008, Kattenau is the most expensive Trakehner on the record. Pricing for USD 314,000, he was sold in 2018 to Hans-Jörg Gasser.

7. The Akhal-Teké – Up to USD 35,000

Rarity explains the expensive price tag of the Akhal-Teké horse breed. In fact, in some cases, the price can go as high as USD 100,000. However, a variety of factors determine the price of Akhal-Tekés: color, size, training, health, and age.

Originating in the Karakum desert, Akhal-Teké horses are popular for their stamina and athleticism. Today, they are common in several equine sports such as dressage, showjumping, and running.

Did You Know?

A picture of the Akhal-Teké horse is in the emblem of Turkmenistan.

6. The Selle Français – Up to USD 40,000

Being a top-notch jumper and having plain colors, Selle Français horses can get huge prize money for their owners. That is why they are costly. Besides, they are highly revered as the Olympic showjumpers.

The Selle Français horse breed was developed in 1958. Currently, being strong, sharp, and great at learning, these steeds are primarily used for dressage and eventing.

In 2013, the most expensive Selle Français deal was struck: Palloubet d’Halong, a Selle Français known for versatility and performance, was bought by Jan Tops for USD 15 million. Palloubet d’Halong was born in 2003.

5. The Andalusian – Up to USD 50,000

The Andalusian is an expensive breed because of its high energy and good quality of movement. Furthermore, owing to their athleticism, these horses excel in long-running events. These horses have a high affinity for dressage and show their talent in international horse shows. Purebred Andalusian horses are expensive; however, crossed ones cost under USD 3,000.

Andalusian horses originated in the Iberian Peninsula. They were used traditionally for bullfighting and have taken part in many wars. They are listed as one of the medieval warhorse breeds. They are admired because of their bravery, nobility, loyalty, and smartness.

4. The Dutch Warmblood – Up to USD 50,000

Currently, the Dutch Warmblood breed is among the most successful horses in equestrian competition – excel in a variety of equestrian activities. That is why they score themselves a good rank on the list of expensive horse breeds. However, some horses are available at cheaper rates –  between USD 4,000 to 25,000 – depending on the training level, age, and pedigree.

The Dutch Warmblood breed originated in the Netherlands before World War II. Nowadays, these horses are among some of the most successful competition steeds in postwar Europe.

Totilas, a Dutch Warmblood and dressage champion, was sold for USD 12.8 million. He was born in the year 2000 and died of colic in 2020.

3. The Friesian – Up to USD 100,000

The Friesian horse breed is so expensive because it has not yet fully recovered from nearly going extinct about a century ago. Friesians are still considered to be somewhat rare today. Another reason is their popularity in dressage – their elegant gait, flowing mane, and dazzling black coat make them invaluable.

Though Friesians are millennia old and were used as war horse breeds, they are widely popular nowadays because of their use in dressage and circus. They are highly active and energetic but, at the same time, are docile and obedient.

2. The Arabian – Up to USD 100,000

Considered to be among the top horses in the world due to their unmatched intelligence, endurance, and working ability, the Arabian horse breed is quite cherished and thus has an expensive price tag. Well-trained Arabian steeds can have a price tag as high as 100,000 U.S. dollars. Nevertheless, if you are lucky, you can find Arabian horses even under 2,500.

Discernible for their concave-shaped head and banner-shaped tail, Arabian horses are about 3,500 years old. They are also among the fastest horse breeds in the world, with an impressive speed of 40 mph.

The most expensive deal involving Arabian horses happened in 2015. Pepita, the Pride of Poland, was sold for about two million U.S. dollars. He was born in 2005 and is now owned by Delmar Pettigrew L. and Martha J.

Did You Know?

Besides the buying cost, the upkeep of an Arabian horse can cost around USD 800 every month.

1. The Thoroughbred – Up to USD 100,000

Thoroughbreds are the most expensive horses – thanks to their good race track record. They have the potential of attracting buyers willing to put in millions of dollars. Since the top-level Thoroughbreds can earn their owners money through prizes and breeding, wealthy people do not hesitate to invest in them.

The Thoroughbred breed originated in England during the 17^th and 18^th centuries. These horses were originally bred for racing and jumping. Considered to be hot-blooded, Thoroughbreds are well-known for their exceptional speed, spirit, and agility.

On record, the most expensive horse ever sold was a Thoroughbred named Fusaichi “FuPeg” Pegasus. Born in 1997, He was sold for a whopping USD 70 million back in the year 2000. As of 2020, he is pensioned in Ashford Stud in Kentucky, the United States.