10. Enable
Earnings: £10,724,320
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe established itself as Europe’s premier all-aged race after World War II, with stars like Mill Reef and Allez France elevating its status in the 1970s. Winning the Arc multiple times in the modern era signifies extraordinary talent, a feat Enable accomplished in 2018, making her only the eighth horse in history to achieve this. She became the third horse since Ribot's second victory in 1956 to accomplish this back-to-back triumph.
Despite falling short of a historic third consecutive Arc victory in 2019 when she was caught by Waldgeist, and finishing sixth the following year at age six, her legacy was already secured. Enable's impressive longevity led to a record-breaking three King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes wins at Ascot, as well as a memorable victory in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs. Interestingly, that Breeders' Cup race was her only venture outside Europe, a testament to her immense talent without ever chasing riches in the Middle East or Far East. Credit goes to owner Khalid Abdullah, trainer John Gosden, and jockey Frankie Dettori for managing her stellar career.
9. Mishriff
Earnings: £11,158,059
In 2021, Mishriff overtook Enable as the second-highest earner in Europe (and within John Gosden's stable), largely due to his remarkable success in the Middle East. His victories included the $20m Saudi Cup, the world's richest dirt race, and the $5m Dubai Sheema Classic on turf, propelling him to the upper echelons of global racing. Testing a horse's ability on different surfaces at such a high level is rare, but Mishriff handled it with ease, an achievement that recalls near-misses by European greats like Giant’s Causeway and Sakhee in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
While his success in Saudi Arabia and Dubai forms the bulk of his earnings, Mishriff also claimed significant European titles such as the Prix du Jockey Club and Juddmonte International. As the highest-earning active racehorse, Mishriff still has opportunities to climb even higher on the all-time earnings list, and should his connections aim for the Arc, a spot among the top three is not beyond reach.
8. Kitasan Black
Earnings: £11,454,079
Japan’s strong currency and lucrative prize money make it a powerhouse in global horse racing, and Kitasan Black’s presence in the top ten is a testament to this financial might. Remarkably, he achieved these earnings without ever racing outside his home country. The son of Black Tide—whose primary claim to fame is being the brother of the legendary Deep Impact—Kitasan Black was renowned for his tenacious front-running style and deep connection with iconic jockey Yutaka Take.
Beyond his racing prowess, Kitasan Black gained significant popularity due to his famous owner, Ono Shoji, a singer who celebrated each of his horse’s victories with a personal serenade. Among Kitasan Black’s many accomplishments were three Emperor's Cup victories—two in the Tenno Sho Spring and one in the Tenno Sho Autumn—along with a Japan Cup win and an emotional farewell victory in the 2017 Arima Kinen. His consistent success kept him in training until age five, reflecting the lucrative opportunities that await top Japanese horses.
7. Orfevre
Earnings: £12,185,908
Japan’s dual Arc runner-up Orfevre ranks higher than Kitasan Black in terms of earnings, primarily due to his near-misses in the €5m Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Orfevre’s ability was evident from his three-year-old season in 2011, when he captured the Japanese Triple Crown and capped the year with a win in the prestigious Arima Kinen. His trainer, Yasutoshi Ikee, son of Deep Impact’s trainer, travelled to France with Orfevre, hoping to achieve the Arc victory his father had missed out on in 2006.
In 2012, Orfevre came agonisingly close to Arc glory, charging ahead on the rain-soaked Longchamp turf only to falter at the last moment and lose to Solemia by a neck. His second attempt the following year also ended in disappointment, finishing runner-up to Treve. Despite these heartbreaks, Orfevre retired as one of Japan’s richest and most talented racehorses, with an unforgettable career capped by an eight-length win in the 2013 Arima Kinen.
6. Gentildonna
Earnings: £12,224,036
While Japan boasts some of the most rewarding prize money in the world, it is the big international races in places like Dubai that elevate a horse to financial legend status. Gentildonna, a daughter of Deep Impact, exemplified this, adding a Dubai Sheema Classic victory to her remarkable resume. Trained by Sei Ishizaka, Gentildonna first rose to fame by sweeping Japan’s Triple Tiara for fillies in 2012, followed by a narrow victory over Orfevre in that year’s Japan Cup.
A year later, she made history as the first horse to win the Japan Cup twice, solidifying her place among Japan’s greatest racehorses. Her international ventures included a second-place finish in the Dubai Sheema Classic, but she returned the following year to claim victory in the same race under Ryan Moore, proving her ability to shine on the global stage.
5. Gun Runner
Earnings: £12,238,136
Many top-earning racehorses develop close bonds with a particular jockey, and for Gun Runner, that bond was with French-born rider Florent Geroux. Together, they achieved significant success in the United States. Gun Runner’s rise to prominence came in his four-year-old season, culminating in four straight Grade 1 victories, including the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar.
Trainer Steve Asmussen campaigned Gun Runner aggressively, and in 2018, he added the $16m Pegasus World Cup to his list of achievements, securing his place among the top earners of all time. Gun Runner’s steady rise and final victory before retiring to stud ensured his spot in racing history.
4. Thunder Snow
Earnings: £12,671,800
Thunder Snow holds the distinction of being Europe’s top earner and number four globally, largely due to his back-to-back triumphs in the Dubai World Cup in 2018 and 2019. These two victories alone accounted for over £10m of his total earnings, highlighting the lucrative nature of top-level races in the Middle East.
Trained by Saeed bin Suroor and owned by Godolphin, Thunder Snow showcased his versatility by winning prestigious turf races in France before proving his prowess on dirt in Dubai. In addition to his World Cup wins, Thunder Snow also finished third in the 2018 Breeders' Cup Classic, further cementing his reputation as a world-class racehorse.
3. Almond Eye
Earnings: £13,100,836
Almond Eye, the brilliant daughter of Lord Kanaloa, took Japan and the racing world by storm, earning a record number of Japanese Grade 1 victories with eight. Despite only racing once outside her home country, Almond Eye’s performances made her a global star.
In 2018, she swept Japan’s Triple Crown for fillies and set a world record for a mile and a half in the Japan Cup. Her triumph in the 2019 Dubai Turf further enhanced her international reputation, and she ended her career with another victory in the Japan Cup, defeating two Triple Crown winners. Almond Eye’s dominance made her one of Japan’s most beloved and successful racehorses of all time.
2. Arrogate
Earnings: £13,622,542
Arrogate’s legacy was built on just a few remarkable performances, but each one left an indelible mark on the racing world. His first major victory came in the 2016 Travers Stakes, where he demolished the field by over 13 lengths. He followed that up with a stunning victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic, defeating reigning Horse of the Year California Chrome.
In 2017, Arrogate further cemented his place in history by winning the inaugural $12m Pegasus World Cup and delivering a sensational come-from-behind victory in the Dubai World Cup, overcoming a slow start to pass the entire field. Though his career was brief, Arrogate’s four explosive victories made him one of the highest earners in racing history.
1. Winx
Earnings: £14,564,743
Australia’s superstar mare Winx holds the top spot on the all-time earnings list, thanks to an unprecedented 33-race winning streak that spanned four years. From her first win in the Sunshine Coast Guineas to her final victory in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Winx consistently delivered breathtaking performances.
Her record-breaking 25 Group 1 victories included four consecutive Cox Plate wins, making her the most dominant weight-for-age horse in Australian history. Despite never competing in the Melbourne Cup, Winx’s phenomenal achievements on the track made her the highest-earning racehorse of all time, surpassing even the mighty Arrogate.