25 Most Expensive Horse Breeds (We’re Talking in the Millions)
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These days, you can find your perfect horse in just about any size and color you can imagine. Between hardy crosses and standardized breeds, there is truly something for everyone. Really, when looking, your pocketbook will probably have the most impact on what you end up buying. And the range in price just might be the largest range of anything you will ever buy.
From the adoption fee for an untouched mustang of a few hundred dollars, to the finished show horse priced at $60,000, to the incredibly bred racing prospect that fetches millions, there is definitely a broad range when it comes to a horse breed’s value. While training and breeding affect price the most, there are some breeds that tend to fetch higher prices in general. Here is our list of the 25 most expensive horse breeds, ranked by price range.
25. Miniature Horse
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Physical characteristics: Well-balanced miniature version of a full-sized horse
Price range: $2,000-$3,000
Miniature Horse Highlights
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Height: Up to 34 inches
Excels at: In-hand showing, driving, therapy
Bottom Line: Miniature Horse
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There is nothing cuter than a miniature horse! These small wonders are perfect for driving or in-hand work, or just to have around the property to keep your grass mowed down.
Their prices range widely, but you can get a miniature horse for a couple hundred if you are just looking for a companion horse. If you are looking to get into showing or purchase one that is already driving, prices are usually in the $2,000 to $3,000 range.
24. Shetland Pony
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Physical characteristics: Three different body types of the breed range from the older stouter body type (Foundation,) to the more refined Classic, to the ultra-refined Modern type
Price range: $1,000-$8,000
Shetland Pony Highlights
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Height: 7 hands (28 inches) – 11.2 hands (46 inches)
Excels at: Show, driving, in-hand disciplines, dressage, jumping
Bottom Line: Shetland Pony
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The Shetland pony is a popular kid’s mount for those children looking to do sport. With their flashy movement, adults love to drive and show them in-hand.
They are a common find at many auctions as well as from private sellers. Prices range from $1,000 for a foal to anywhere from $6,000 to $8,000 for a fully trained Shetland that is “kid safe.”
23. Mustang
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Physical characteristics: Compact, medium bone, hardy
Price range: Up to $10,000
Mustang Highlights
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Height: 14 hands (56 inches) – 16 hands (64 inches)
Excels at: Endurance, western, trail
Bottom Line: Mustang
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The mustang has a romantic story and is often bought by the horse owner that is looking for something more: a connection to the wilds and a partnership with a being that once ran free.
The adoption program allows people to purchase a mustang for around $200 to $300. Already-trained mustangs fetch higher prices, however, at around $5,000 to $10,000.
22. Norwegian Fjord Horse
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Physical characteristics: Known for their black and white striped mane
Price range: About $10,000
Norwegian Fjord Horse Highlights
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Height: 13 hands (52 inches) – 15.2 hands (62 inches)
Excels at: Pleasure show, trails, lessons, driving, therapy
Bottom Line: Norwegian Fjord Horse
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The Norwegian Fjord horse is a rare breed that is loved by those that like the big, drafty pony look. While they may be shorter in stature than a lot of breeds, they have large bones that allow them to do hard work, whether pulling a cart or carrying a rider.
Though not common, you can find a nice Fjord for under $10,000; it can just take a while due to their low numbers.
19. Clydesdale (Tie)
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Physical characteristics: Large boned, tall, feathered feet
Price range: $10,000+
Clydesdale Highlights
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Height: 16 hands (64 inches) – 18 hands (72 inches)
Excels at: Driving, pulling
Bottom Line: Clydesdale
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The Clydesdale enjoys fame thanks in large part to the Budweiser team. But as farm sizes diminish, many can’t find a use for larger draft horses, so their prices do not reflect their fame like it does with riding horses.
You can find a nice Clydesdale for around $10,000. Interestingly, sport horse crosses with Clydesdale in them often fetch higher prices.
19. Lipizzaner (Tie)
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Physical characteristics: Compact, muscular, medium boned
Price range: $10,000+
Lipizzaner Highlights
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Height: 14.2 hands (58 inches) – 16 hands (64 inches)
Excels at: Dressage, jumping, eventing
Bottom Line: Lipizzaner
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The Lipizzaner is a rare breed known for its stunning coat that greys out to almost pure white as it ages. Due to their rarity, they can fetch some pretty good prices, especially if they are highly trained.
You can expect to pay around $10,000 or more for a riding horse, and even more for breeding quality stock and those with proven show records.
19. Missouri Fox Trotter (Tie)
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Physical characteristics: Known for their special gait, the foxtrot
Price range: $10,000+
Missouri Fox Trotter Highlights
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Height: 14 hands (56 inches) – 16 hands (64 inches)
Excels at: Trail, therapy work, pleasure shows
Bottom Line: Missouri Fox Trotter
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The Missouri Fox Trotter is loved by many for their smooth gaits and good temperament.
Foals often fetch mid-four figures, while fully trained Missouri Fox Trotters are around $10,000 plus.
17. Appaloosa (Tie)
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Physical characteristics: Loud coat patterning
Price range: $10,000-$20,000+
Appaloosa Highlights
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Height: 14 hands (56 inches) – 16 hands (64 inches)
Excels at: Pleasure shows, cow work, dressage
Bottom Line: Appaloosa
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Appaloosas are loved by many for their technicolored coats and athleticism.
While popular, you can find a nice Appaloosa in the $10,000 range. But if you are looking for high-level competition quality, you will quickly find yourself in the $20,000-plus range.
17. Morgan (Tie)
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Physical characteristics: Compact with a short back and an expressive head
Price range: $10,000-$20,000+
Morgan Highlights
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Height: 14.1 hands (57 inches) – 15.2 hands (62 inches)
Excels at: Driving, pleasure shows, trails, endurance, therapy
Bottom Line: Morgan
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The Morgan horse is an American breed known for being an “all around” horse that can do any discipline and be ridden by anybody.
Their prices range, but if you are looking for a well-bred show prospect, young Morgans can be in the low-five figures. However, proven show horses or breeding stock sometimes fetch in the high teens to $20,000 plus.
16. Akhal-Teke
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Physical characteristics: Long, lean frame with an elegant, high set neck and a coat with a metallic sheen
Price range: $10,000-$25,000+
Akhal-Teke Highlights
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Height: 14.2 hands (58 inches) – 16 hands (64 inches)
Excels at: Dressage, show jumping, eventing, endurance
Bottom Line: Akhal-Teke
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The striking Akhal-Teke is a horse for anyone wanting to get noticed, regardless of what they are doing. You can see the sheen of their metallic-like coat from across a football field.
Foals and adults can be found in the low-five figures, with high-quality breeding stock and those with show records fetching higher prices, $25,000 and up.
14. Andalusian (Tie)
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Physical appearance: Compact, strong, medium-boned
Price range: $10,000-$30,000+
Andalusian Highlights
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Height: 15 hands (60 inches) and above
Known for: Dressage, driving, jumping
Bottom Line: Andalusian
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Andalusians, also called the Pure Spanish Horse (PRE), are elegant animals that do well at a multitude of events.
Like the Friesian, their stunning looks alone attract high prices, so those with training sell for even more. Foals can be in the five figures, and fully trained Andalusians or well-bred stallions go for $30,000 and up.
14. Friesian (Tie)
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Physical characteristics: Powerful and athletic body, big bones, feathered feet
Price range: $10,000-$30,000+
Friesian Highlights
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Height: 14.2 hands (58 inches) – 17 hands (68 inches)
Excels at: Dressage, driving
Bottom Line: Friesian
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Known even by non-horse people for their repeated use in movies and TV, the Friesian fetches high prices simply on looks alone.
Foals are often in the low-five figures. Trained Friesians or those with proven offspring (breeding stock) easily sell for $30,000 and up. And those with stellar pedigrees and show successes are in the six digits.
13. American Paint Horse
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Physical characteristics: Most have white markings on their coat
Price range: $4,000-$33,000
American Paint Horse Highlights
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Height: 14 hands (56 inches) – 16+ hands (64+ inches)
Excels at: Show, trail, gaming, cow work, lessons
Bottom Line: American Paint Horse
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The American paint horse has a wide range of prices, with show stock fetching good money.
While you can get a foal or simply-trained one for under $4,000, those with show records or are of breeding quality can go for much more, like Mark This Rocinante, a gelding that fetched $33,000 at the 2018 Triangle Fall Horse Sale.
12. Gypsy
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Physical characteristics: Feathered feet, mane and tail
Price range: About $50,000
Gypsy Highlights
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Height: 10 hands (40 inches) – 16 hands (64 inches)
Excels at: Show, trails, lessons, dressage, driving, therapy
Bottom Line: Gypsy
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The Gypsy cob, sometimes called the Gypsy vanner or Gypsy horse, is a docile, lovable horse that fetches good prices in the United States due to its looks, rarity stateside and temperament.
Foals are usually in the low-five figures, while fully trained riding horses or studs with color and pedigree are often in the mid-five figures. Even well-trained Gypsy crosses fetch good prices at auctions.
11. Holsteiner
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Physical characteristics: Athletic with arched, high-set necks and powerful hindquarters
Price range: $50,000-$60,000+
Holsteiner Highlights
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Height: 16 hands (64 inches) – 17 hands (68 inches)
Excels at: Jumping, driving
Bottom Line: Holsteiner
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While you can purchase a Holsteiner foal in the mid-four figures, be prepared to pay handsomely for a fully trained older horse with some showing under its hooves.
Trained Holsteiners go for mid-five figures, up to $60,000 plus.
10. Oldenburg
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Physical characteristics: Large, powerful frame with high-powered elastic gaits
Price range: $50,000-$230,000
Oldenburg Highlights
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Height: 16 hands (64 inches) – 17.2 hands (70 inches)
Excels at: Dressage, jumping
Bottom Line: Oldenburg
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The Oldenburg has made its mark in the dressage and jumping world over and over, reflecting their somewhat large price tag. Foals are usually in the low-five figures, with trained, amateur-ready Oldenburgs fetching mid- to high-five figures.
And top performers bring in even more money: In 2018, an Oldenburg sold for about $230,000 at the Oldenburg Horse Center.
9. Trakehner
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Physical characteristics: Medium, well-crested neck on a long body with sloping shoulders
Price range: $50,000-$312,000
Trakehner Highlights
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Height: 15.2 hands (62 inches) – 17 hands (68 inches)
Excels at: Eventing, dressage, jumping
Bottom Line: Trakehner
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Anytime the Olympics are involved, there is big money. Trakehners are known for doing well in dressage, jumping and eventing at the Olympic level.
A well-trained show Trakehner will fetch in the mid-five figures. In 2019, a stallion named Kattenau was sold for about $312,000.
8. Standardbred
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Physical characteristics: Long, lean body with powerful shoulders
Price range: $100,000-$1.1 million
Standardbred Highlights
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Height: 14 hands (56 inches) – 17 hands (68 inches)
Excels at: Harness racing, driving, jumping
Bottom Line: Standardbred
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Anytime there is potential to win money, those that do so fetch good prices. Standardbreds are known for harness racing, in which their incredible long stride at the trot allows them to cover ground extremely quickly.
Trotting prospects can go for hundreds of thousands. In 2019, a foal by the name of Maverick was sold for $1.1 million.
7. Tennessee Walking Horse
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Physical characteristics: Long hip and shoulder, with a short back and croup
Price range: $10,000-$1.25 million
Tennessee Walking Horse Highlights
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Height: 14.3 hands (59 inches) – 17 hands (68 inches)
Excels at: Pleasure shows, trails
Bottom Line: Tennessee Walking Horse
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Tennessee walking horses, commonly called walkers, are loved for their smooth gaits and stamina. Today, they are prized by trail enthusiasts as being a comfortable mount for long rides.
In general, you can find a walker for under $10,000 that has been nicely trained. But again, well-trained horses can fetch much more, like RPM, a walker that won the World Grand Championship in 1999 and was sold for $1.25 million.
6. Arabian
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Physical characteristics: Refined build, with small bones, a short back, arching neck, and a well-sculpted face
Price range: $1,000-$1.6 million
Arabian Highlights
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Height: 14 hands (56 inches) – 15.2 hands (62 inches)
Excels at: English, western, endurance
Bottom Line: Arabian
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The Arabian horse has a loyal following, which can keep prices for well-trained and well-bred horses high. Though you can get an Arabian for under $1,000 from a rescue or for a bit more as a foal, well-trained Arabians are often in the mid-five figures.
At famous auctions, they can go for even more. A mare sold at the Pride of Poland auction in 2016 for $335,000, and in 2015, a mare sold there for about $1.6 million.
5. Quarter Horse
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Physical characteristics: Medium boned, athletic, semi-refined head
Price range: $2,000-$2.1 million
Quarter Horse Highlights
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Height: 14 hands (56 inches) – 16.2 hands (66 inches)
Excels at: Pleasure shows, gaming, cow work, trails
Bottom Line: Quarter Horse
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The quarter horse has a very wide price range. You can find young foals or rescue horses for under $2,000. But if you are looking for quality and training, you can expect to pay handsomely.
Proven quarters horses with show records can easily be $30,000 or more. In 2018, at the Heritage Place Fall Mixed Breeding Stock Sale, a stallion named Moonin The Eagle was bought for $2.1 million.
4. Hanoverian
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Physical characteristics: Big boned, powerful with large limbs
Price range: $100,000-$3.26 million
Hanoverian Highlights
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Height: 16 hands (64 inches) and up
Excels at: Show jumping, dressage, eventing
Bottom Line: Hanoverian
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The Hanoverian is a warmblood that has long enjoyed popularity (as well as high price tags!) for its success in dressage, show jumping and eventing.
In 2014, a Hanoverian sold at a German auction for $3.26 million. “Regular” prices for Hanoverians are in the high-five figures, with many entering the six digits with proven show or breeding records.
3. Dutch Warmblood
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Physical characteristics: Big boned, athletic
Price range: $10,000-$15 million
Dutch Warmblood Highlights
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Height: 15 hands (60 inches) and up
Excels at: Eventing, jumping, dressage
Bottom Line: Dutch Warmblood
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The Dutch warmblood is a popular horse for those looking to show in some of the world’s most competitive equestrian sports, which means it also fetches hefty price tags.
Even a low-level trained Dutch Warmblood will fetch in the low-five figures, with proven winners priced at $18,000 and up. In 2010, a dressage stallion named Totilas was purchased for around $15 million.
2. Selle Francais
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Physical characteristics: Tall, well-balanced with a deep chest and sloping shoulder
Price range: $90,000-$15 million
Selle Francais Highlights
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Height: 15.1 hands (61 inches) – 17.3 hands (71 inches)
Excels at: Show jumping, dressage, eventing
Bottom Line: Selle Francais
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A French sport horse, the Selle Francais can fetch high prices as a well-trained jumper, dressage or eventer.
While foals may be in the low thousands, trained horses can go into the high-five digits. In 2013, Jan Tops (former showjumper) purchased a Selle Francais gelding for over $15 million.
1. Thoroughbred
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Physical characteristics: Tall, athletic, refined
Price range: Up to $70 million
Thoroughbred Highlights
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Height: 15 hands (60 inches) – 17 hands (68 inches)
Excels at: Racing, jumping, dressage
Bottom Line: Thoroughbred
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If you follow racing at all, it’s probably no surprise to you that the thoroughbred is the most expensive breed in the world — when you’re talking about well-bred racing stock. Although an adoption fee for an Off The Track Thoroughbred (OTTB) could be as little as $500, many young thoroughbred racing stock sells for millions.
In 2000, Fusaichi Pegasus broke a 1983 record price for a thoroughbred when he was sold at auction for around $70 million.