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Most Expensive Thoroughbreds

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Million Dollar Racehorses

They sold for millions of dollars even though they hadn't even run a race..In the thoroughbred business, good bloodlines means big money for breeding, if not for racing, and investors are known to snap up horses who count racing legends as relatives. Some of the thoroughbreds in the slides ahead eventually went on to win races, but others were used to breed future generations of racehorses. Click on to learn the highest prices paid for thoroughbreds at auction.
Photo credit: Fasig-Tipton

They sold for millions of dollars even though they hadn't even run a race. In the thoroughbred business, good bloodlines means big money for breeding, if not for racing, investors are known to snap up horses who count racing legends as relatives.

Some of the thoroughbreds in the slides ahead eventually went on to win races, but others were used to breed future generations of racehorses. Click on to learn the highest prices paid for thoroughbreds at auction.

By Joseph Pisani
Posted Oct. 15, 2010


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8. Mr. Sekiguchi

: $8 million Picked up for $8 million in 2004, the thoroughbred has won two overseas races in his career , earning just $85,000.
Photo credit: Keeneland

Sold for: $8 million

Picked up for $8 million in 2004, the thoroughbred has won two overseas races in his career, earning $85,000.


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7. Imperial Falcon

: $8.25 millionAnother son of Northern Dancer, Imperial Falcon won two races in his career after being bought in 1984 for $8.25 million.
Photo credit: Keeneland

Sold for: $8.25 million

Another son of Northern Dancer, Imperial Falcon won two races in his career after being bought in 1984 for $8.25 million.


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6. Plavius

: $9.2 millionPlavius, bought in 2006, has gone on to win races in the United Arab Emirates.
Photo credit: Keeneland

Sold for: $9.2 million

Plavius, bought in 2006, has gone on to win races in the United Arab Emirates.


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5. Jalil

: $9.7 millionJalil’s father, Storm Cat, commanded one of the highest breeding fees—$500,000. Jalil was purchased in 2005 and went on to win four races worth $336,000 in prizes.
Photo credit: Keeneland

Sold for: $9.7 million

Jalil’s father, Storm Cat, commanded one of the highest breeding fees—$500,000. Jalil was purchased in 2005 and went on to win four races worth $336,000 in prizes.


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4. Snaafi Dancer

: $10.2 million Bought in 1983, Snaafi Dancer’s price escalated at auction because of its sire, Northern Dancer, was considered one of the most important thoroughbreds in history because of his racing record. Snaafi Dancer never raced, however, and was found to be infertile.
Photo credit: Keeneland

Sold for: $10.2 million

Bought in 1983, Snaafi Dancer’s price escalated at auction because of its sire, Northern Dancer, was considered one of the most important thoroughbreds in history because of his racing record. Snaafi Dancer never raced, however, and was found to be infertile.


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3. Meydan City

: $11.7 million The horse was bought in 2006, and has won two races since, earning about $38,000.
Photo credit: Keeneland

Sold for: $11.7 million

The horse was bought in 2006, and has won two races since, earning about $38,000.


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2. Seattle Dancer

: $13.1 million Seattle Dancer’s high auction price in 1985 can be attributed to the horse’s famous father, Nijinsky II, who won the Triple Crown in 1970. Seattle Dancer brought in $152,413 in winnings before suffering a fatal heart attack in 2007 at 23-years-old.
Photo credit: Keeneland

Sold for: $13.1 million

Seattle Dancer’s high auction price in 1985 can be attributed to the horse’s famous father, Nijinsky II, who won the Triple Crown in 1970. Seattle Dancer brought in $152,413 in winnings before suffering a fatal heart attack in 2007 at 23-years-old.


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1. The Green Monkey

: $16 million The $16-million dollar horse sold at auction in 2006, but just two years after the record-breaking sale, The Green Monkey was retired, having earned just over $10,000 in race prizes.
Photo credit: Fasig-Tipton

Sold for: $16 million

The $16-million dollar horse sold at auction in 2006, but just two years after the record-breaking sale, The Green Monkey was retired, having earned just over $10,000 in race prizes.


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