Many people will spend any amount of money to try and buy a horse they think can win the Kentucky Derby, but is this a smart thing to do? If you are buying a young horse at auction as a yearling or 2-year-old in training, you are actually better off to stay away from the high priced colts and instead go for the bargains if you are hoping for a Derby winner.
Since 1960, only three horses who sold at auction for $500,000 or more of the 33 who have run in the Derby have won: Alysheba ($500,000), Winning Colors ($575,000), and Fusaichi Pegasus ($4,000,000). Other than those three, Kentucky Derby winners who were sold at public auction since 1970 have ranged in price from $1,200 for Canonero II in 1971 to $190,000 for Big Brown in 2008. Of course Big Brown was later resold by that buyer to IEAH Stables for lots more, but we are only looking at public auction prices here since private sale prices are usually exactly that, private and not disclosed to the public.
Here is a list of the Derby winners sold at public auction since 1970 with their sale price.
- Animal Kingdom, 2011 ... $100,000
- Mine That Bird, 2009 ... $9,500
- Big Brown, 2007 ... $190,000
- Funny Cide, 2003 ... $22,000
- Monarchos, 2001 ... $170,000
- Fusaichi Pegasus, 2000 ... $4,000,000
- Real Quiet, 1998 ... $17,000
- Silver Charm, 1997 ... $100,000
- Thunder Gulch, 1995 ... $40,000
- Go For Gin, 1994 ... $150,000
- Lil E. Tee, 1992 ... $25,000
- Unbridled, 1990 ... $70,000
- Sunday Silence, 1989 ... $32,000
- Winning Colors, 1988 ... $575,000
- Alysheba, 1987 ... $500,000
- Genuine Risk, 1980 ... $32,000
- Spectacular Bid, 1979 ... $37,000
- Seattle Slew, 1977 ... $17,500
- Bold Forbes, 1976 ... $15,200
- Foolish Pleasure, 1975 ... $20,000
- Canonero II, 1971 ... $1,200
- Dust Commander, 1970 ... $6,500
While most of us are unlikely to ever buy a horse at auction, it is another factor to keep in mind while handicapping the Derby.
| Horse, Kentucky Derby Year | Auction Price |
| Fusaichi Pegasus, 2000 | $4,000,000 |
| Dunkirk, 2009 | $3,700,000 |
| Houston, 1989 | $2,900,000 |
| Desert Party, 2009 | $2,100,000 |
| Talk Is Money, 2001 | $1,800,000 |
| Cowtown Cat, 2007 | $1,500,000 |
| Exchange Rate, 2000 | $1,400,000 |
| Lion Heart, 2004 | $1,400,000 |
| Unbridled's Song, 1996 | $1,400,000 |
| A.P. Warrior, 2006 | $1,300,000 |
| Millennium Wind, 2001 | $1,200,000 |
| Noble Causeway, 2005 | $1,150,000 |
| Any Given Saturday, 2007 | $1,100,000 |
| High Yield, 2000 | $1,050,000 |
| Chumming, 1983 | $1,000,000 |
| Songandaprayer, 2001 | $1,000,000 |
| Capote, 1987 | $800,000 |
| Point Determined, 2006 | $750,000 |
| Jazil, 2006 | $725,000 |
| Flying Private, 2009 | $700,000 |
| Zanjero, 2007 | $700,000 |
| Regal Ransom, 2009 | $675,000 |
| Tank's Prospect, 1985 | $625,000 |
| Tapit, 2004 | $625,000 |
| Thyer, 1992 | $600,000 |
| Going Wild, 2005 | $600,000 |
| Commendable, 2000 | $575,000 |
| Desert Hero, 1999 | $575,000 |
| Winning Colors, 1988 | $575,000 |
| Parade Ground, 1998 | $525,000 |
| Dublin, 2010 | $525,000 |
| Alysheba, 1987 | $500,000 |
| Timber Country, 1995 | $500,000 |
| Bandini, 2005 | $500,000 |
