Horse racing is one of the most exciting sports on the global schedule, but its unpredictability can often ensure it is one of the most frustrating sports for those looking to make money on their investments.
Producing a Thoroughbred champion is the dream for all of those involved in racing, but sometimes a high-quality pedigree doesn’t necessarily mean that a runner will be a winning selection when betting at the horse races.
But, who are some of the most successful sires in recent history, and which rank among the most expensive in the modern day?
Dubawi
Dubawi is one of the most expensive sires in the world and has been for the last couple of years since Galileo’s death. The stallion stands at Dalham Hall Stud, and his fee is set at £350,000 for the second year running.
The former racehorse trained by Saeed bin Suroor won five of his eight career starts, which included victories in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and Prix Jacques Le Marois in 2005. Since retiring, he has produced some of the most dominant turf horses in recent memory.
Among those include Night Of Thunder, who won the 2000 Guineas and Lockinge Stakes in 2011. Recent successes have also been achieved across the world, with Notable Speech winning the Sussex Stakes, Modern Games winning the Breeders’ Cup Mile, and Ezeliya claiming the spoils in the Epsom Oaks. However, Dubawi is still yet to land an illustrious winner in the Epsom Derby.
Frankel
Unsurprisingly, Frankel also ranks as one of the most expensive stallions in the world, with the superstar’s fee set at £350,000. Many regard Frankel as one of the greatest horses of all-time, and he retired from the track as the highest-rated equine in the world.
During his career on track, he was trained by Sir Henry Cecil. Success followed throughout his career, landing the 2000 Guineas, Sussex Stakes, and the Champion Stakes. Since retiring to stud, he has developed champions across the world. In England, he sired Classic winners Adayar and Hurricane Lane.
Meanwhile, Frankel has also produced champions overseas in the forms of Japense Oaks victor Soul Stirring and Australian Oaks winner Hungry Heart. He is also a winning sire of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe following Alpinista’s victory at Longchamp in 2022.
Curlin
The most expensive sire in the United States comes in the form of Curlin, who stands at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Kentucky for a stud cost of £250,000. The stallion enjoyed an excellent career on track in the United States, winning the 2007 Preakness Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic.
He would also achieve notable success overseas when landing the Dubai World Cup in 2008. His victories saw him awarded the American Horse of the Year honors in both 2007 and 2008. Since retiring from the track, he has continued to dominant as a stallion. Curlin has produced some of the outstanding U.S. horses in recent memory, including champion fillies Malathaat and Nest.
Other notable progeny include duel Breeders’ Cup champion Cody’s Wish, and Breeders’ Cup Distaff victor Idiomatic. The stallion also achieved further success in the Triple Crown this year, as Journalism stormed to Preakness Stakes glory.
Gun Runner
Gun Runner also ranks as one of the most expensive stallions in the United States, as the former champion stands at Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky for a fee of $250,000. On track, the thoroughbred was one of the most dominant, winning a staggering $16 million in prize money during his career.
After finishing third in the 2016 Kentucky Derby, he would land notable purses over the next two years, which included victories in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Pegasus World Cup. Since retiring and being sent to stud, he has achieved further success.
Cyberknife became his first Grade One winner when landing the Arkansas Derby, before he produced Preakness Stakes victory Early Voting. Other notable offspring include Taiba, Locked, and the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic champion Sierra Leone.
Into Mischief
Into Mischief has been one of the most dominant stallions in the U.S. throughout modern history, producing a total of 140 stakes winners. Such has been his success, his stud cost has increased yearly, and it now stands at $250,000. Into Mischief had a moderate career on track, winning three from six starts.
However, since retiring, he has been the standout sire in North America, and has been named the leading sire on six occasions since 2019. Some of his progeny have won at the highest level, including Kentucky Derby victors Mandaloun and Sovereignty.
One of his most successful offspring’s remains Authentic, who was named the American Horse of the Year in 2020 following victories in the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic. The 2025 season continues to see Into Mischief breaking new ground, with recent Grade One scorers including Barnes and Patch Adams.
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