What is a horse in training?

A horse in training is a racehorse that is currently with a trainer and racing or ready to race, so buyers can judge it on real race form and official ratings rather than pedigree alone.

Where can I buy horses in training in Europe?

The main horses-in-training sales are run by Tattersalls in Newmarket, Goffs and Arqana, plus their online sales platforms. Horses are also bought privately from owners and trainers.

Can I buy a horse in training from abroad?

Yes. An agent can inspect the horse, arrange independent vetting and bid on your behalf with your written authority, then organise export and shipping to your country.

Horses in training for sale: the 2026–27 European sales guide

Q: How much does a horse in training cost?

Prices vary widely. At the 2025 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale the median price was 15,000 guineas, while the top lot sold for 950,000 guineas. Rating, recent form, age and soundness drive the price.

By the Silk Road Bloodstock team · Updated 20 October 2026

Racehorses training on Warren Hill in Newmarket, England — Racehorses training on Warren Hill, Newmarket. Illustrative image, not a Silk Road Bloodstock horse. Photo: Richard Humphrey, CC BY-SA 2.0

A horse in training is a racehorse that is already racing, so you can judge it on real form and an official rating instead of pedigree alone. In Europe, most horses in training are sold at Tattersalls, Goffs and Arqana sales, on their online platforms, or privately. Here is where and when to buy in 2026–27, what they cost, and how to buy from anywhere in the world.

Why buy a horse in training?

Known ability. Race form and an official rating show what the horse can do.
Racing sooner. No waiting two years for a yearling to grow up.
A clear target. You can match the horse's rating, distance and ground to the races you want to win, wherever you race.

Key European sales for horses in training

Sale dates are set by the sales companies and can change. Always check the official sale page before you plan.

When	Sale	Notes
26–29 Oct 2026	Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale, Newmarket	The largest sale of its kind. Confirmed on tattersalls.com.
Early Nov 2026	Goffs Autumn Horses in Training Sale	Listed by the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing calendar; check goffs.com.
Nov 2026	Arqana Autumn Sale, Deauville	Includes horses in training; check arqana.com for dates.
Early Feb 2027	Tattersalls February Sale	Mares and horses in training; 2027 dates to be confirmed.
Spring 2027	Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up and Horses in Training Sale	Two-year-olds and horses in training; dates to be confirmed.
July 2027	Tattersalls July Sale	Summer horses-in-training sale; dates to be confirmed.
All year	Tattersalls Online, GoffsGo, Arqana Online	Timed online auctions, often monthly. Arqana Online gives buyers a vet file and an inspection window.

How much does a horse in training cost?

Prices range from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands. At the 2025 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale, the median price was 15,000 guineas and the top lot made 950,000 guineas. The sale turned over 34.16 million guineas with an 87% clearance rate.

What drives the price:

Official rating and how recent it is. Higher-rated horses can run in better races, so they cost more.
Age and progression. A lightly raced, improving three-year-old usually costs more than an older horse with the same rating.
Trip and ground. Horses suited to in-demand race programmes attract more bidders.
Soundness. Vet reports, X-rays and wind tests can move the price a lot.

A guinea is £1.05. Sale prices at Tattersalls are given in guineas.

Ask the team

We are shortlisting horses rated 90+ from the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale now. See 12 lots we are looking at →

How to buy a horse in training from abroad

Set your target

Agree with your trainer the rating band, distance and ground that suit the races you want to run in.

Get a shortlist

Your agent filters the catalogue and sends form, ratings, video and an honest view on each horse.

Inspect and vet

On-the-ground inspection, then independent X-rays, a wind scope and a medication history.

Set up credit and authority

Complete the sales company's credit and purchaser authorisation forms before the sale, so the horse is bought in your name.

Bid, pay and ship

Your agent bids within your limit. You pay the sales company on its terms, then the horse is exported and flown to your trainer.

Buying privately

Many good horses change hands privately, away from the sale ring. Private deals need a written contract, independent vetting and a deposit held safely until the vet and export checks are complete.

Sources

Looking for a horse in training?

We buy racehorses with the best European bloodlines for owners all over the world, from US$50,000 per horse. Tell us where you race and your budget, and the team will send you a shortlist.

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