Racehorse Earnings Report 2025

Horse racing’s top 30 earners

First though, we rank the Top 30 in terms of GBP earnings.

Over £337m worth of winnings from just 30 horses – an average of £11.2m per entry in our Top 30 but what about if we home in on the Top 10 and see which thoroughbreds managed to stand out from the pack:

 
ROMANTIC WARRIOR, ridden by Karis Teetan at Sha Tin //  Credit: ZUMA Press Inc / Alamy Stock Photo

1. Romantic Warrior - £16.9m, $22.2m

Top of the list is Romantic Warrior. The Hong Kong-bred Thoroughbred has earned £16.9 million ($22.2 million) during his career and made a significant mark in Hong Kong racing with standout performances, including a remarkable victory in the Hong Kong Cup. 

His versatility on both turf and synthetic surfaces has made him one of the most prominent horses in the region and in 2024, he would go on to surpass Golden Sixty’s record, becoming the highest-earning racehorse in Hong Kong history – topping our list in the process. 

Due to his consistent form in prestigious international races, Romantic Warrior was a horse that many punters fell in love with and thanks to his earning ability, it would go on to solidify his legacy in the racing world.

Golden Sixty, ridden by Vincent Ho // Cal Sport Media / Alamy Stock Photo

2. Golden Sixty - £16.3m, $21.2m

As mentioned above, Golden Sixty was disposed at the top of the list by Romantic Warrior but its own efforts should not be diminished after settling for second in our rankings. Golden Sixty is another Hong Kong-based Thoroughbred who has earned £16.3 million ($21.2 million). 

Known for his remarkable consistency on the track and numerous Group 1 victories, including the Hong Kong Mile, Golden Sixty captured the hearts of fans with his thrilling finishes and competitive spirit. 

While in 2023, he became the highest-earning horse in the world, overtaking Winx’s record. His tenacity on the racetrack, combined with his iconic performances, has cemented his place as a legend in Hong Kong horse racing.

Winx, ridden by Hugh Bowman - Royal Randwick Racecourse //Credit: Cal Sport Media/Alamy

3. Winx - £14.5m, $19.7m

Sitting in third is Winx, an Australian Thoroughbred mare who is widely regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of all time, with earnings of £14.5 million ($19.7 million) and 33 race wins to her name.

Those 33 wins that include four Cox Plates would go on to establish her dominance in Australian racing. While Winx's sheer ability to effortlessly overpower the competition, particularly in Group 1 events, captured the imagination of fans and made her a household name. 

Winx would retire in 2019 but in doing so, she would leave behind an enduring legacy as one of the best horses in the history of the sport and with the career earnings on display to back up such a statement. 

4. Equinox - £14.0m, $15.9m

Ranked fourth in our list is Equinox, a Japanese Thoroughbred who has earned £14.0 million ($15.9 million) during his illustrious career and his victories in top events have made him a huge star on the Japanese racing scene.

The colt has gained recognition for his dominant performances in major races like the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen. Equinox’s effortless ability to adapt to varying race distances and conditions has solidified him as one of the most versatile and successful horses of his generation in Japan. 

5. Arrogate - £13.6m, $17.4m

Sitting fifth is Arrogate, an American Thoroughbred, who earned £13.6 million ($17.4 million) during his career, making him one of the highest-earning racehorses in North America. He is best known for his jaw-dropping victories in the Breeders' Cup Classic, Dubai World Cup, and Travers Stakes. 

While Arrogate's stunning win in the 2016 Travers Stakes was considered one of the most thrilling moments in recent racing history of that year and as a consequence he was also named the 2016 American Horse of the Year.

6. Almond Eye - £13.1m, $17.6m

Back to Japan for our sixth entry, Almond Eye. The Japanese Thoroughbred mare has earned £13.1 million ($17.6 million) throughout her racing career.  While her versatility and ability to win on a variety of surfaces have earned her the admiration of racing fans worldwide. 

Almond Eye’s highlights include wins in the Japan Cup, Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), and Arima Kinen. She became the first filly in history to win the Japan Cup, and her victories in key international races cemented her as one of Japan’s all-time greats.

7. Ushba Tesoro - £12.9m, $16.3m

Ranked seven and staying in Japan is Ushba Tesoro. A horse that has accumulated £12.9 million ($16.3 million) in career earnings. With his most notable victory came when he won the 2023 Dubai World Cup, establishing him as an elite competitor in the international racing scene. 

Known for his explosive speed before the finishing line, these triumphs have earned him a spot among the highest-earning racehorses globally. Not only that, but fans in Japan and abroad follow his exciting performances closely and with him still active, he will look to soon move up the list. 

8. Thunder Snow - £12.6m, $16.5m

Sitting eighth is Thunder Snow, a UAE-bred Thoroughbred and one that earned £12.6 million ($16.5 million) during his career. While he is arguably best known for winning the Dubai World Cup twice, making him one of the most successful horses in the history of the race. 

Thunder Snow's ability to perform on the biggest stages, including the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, ensured that his earnings continued to rise throughout his career but it was his victories in the Dubai World Cup solidified his status as one of the world's top racehorses. 

9. Gun Runner - £12.2m, $15.9m

Positioned ninth is Gun Runner, an American Thoroughbred that accumulated £12.2 million ($15.9 million) in career earnings and is perhaps best known for his victories in the Breeders' Cup Classic, Pegasus World Cup, and Whitney Stakes. 

Gun Runner’s consistency at the top level made him a fan favourite and a prominent figure in American racing during his career. While his earnings reflect his success in high-stakes races, cementing his place as one of the highest-earning racehorses of his time.

10. Gentildonna - £12.2m, $18.4m

Rounding out our top 10 is Gentildonna, a Japanese mare who earned £12.2 million ($18.4 million) during her successful career and in doing so, was one of the most significant fillies in Japan, with notable victories in the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen. 

Gentildonna's success in these prestigious races earned her widespread recognition as one of Japan’s top racehorses. She made history by becoming the first filly to win the Japan Cup, and her consistent form across multiple seasons secured her a spot among the world’s highest-earning horses.

Around The World

Now that we know the makeup of the Top 30, we can also look at where each of the horses come from and find out which nation supplies the most thoroughbreds to this list: 

As you can see it is Japan that makes up the largest portion of the Top 30, with 14 horses coming from the land of the rising sun – a figure that consists of just under half of the sample and eight more representatives then from the United States in second. 

The United States supplies six horses to the Top 30, two more than both Ireland and Australia with four each and making up the rest of the list is Great Britain and New Zealand who serve up a single representative each.

With Japanese jockeys also leading the way in terms of highest earning jockeys, it comes as no surprise that the same nation has so many horses that have managed to earn their trainers incredible sums of money over the years.