Buy Horses in Australia

Horses for sale in Australia: Buying and selling horses in Australia

One of the things I love most about the Australian horse market is how down‑to‑earth and practical it is, while still producing horses that can compete on the world stage. You’ve got everything here from tough, no‑nonsense stock horses working cattle in the outback, to carefully produced warmbloods jumping World Cup tracks, to Thoroughbreds coming straight off the track looking for new careers. It’s a big country, with a surprisingly close‑knit equestrian community, and that shapes how buying and selling horses in Australia really works.

Australia’s equestrian culture is a blend of strong rural traditions and modern sport. Campdrafting and polocrosse sit comfortably alongside dressage, show jumping, eventing, and racing. Australian Stock Horses, Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, Quarter Horses, and increasingly, imported and Australian‑bred warmbloods make up a large portion of the horses for sale. In the lower to mid‑range, you’ll see plenty of off‑the‑track Thoroughbreds advertised between around AUD $2,000 and $8,000, while purpose‑bred performance horses with competition results often sit anywhere from $20,000 to $80,000 and well beyond for Grand Prix or 4* level horses.

Because of the distances involved, buying or selling a horse in Australia often means thinking about transport, climate, and location in a way many European or UK buyers don’t. Sales are concentrated around strong state hubs like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, but excellent horses are scattered across regional areas too. Word‑of‑mouth still carries real weight, and reputation matters. If you’re used to very formal European dealing, the Australian style can feel more relaxed, but don’t be fooled: the good operators are extremely professional, and the competition for well‑produced, genuinely quiet, sound horses is fierce.

Buying horses in Australia - what you need to know

If you’re buying a horse in Australia, you benefit from a wide range of types and generally fair value for money. Off‑the‑track Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds are accessible options, while Australian Stock Horses and Quarter Horses dominate the working, campdraft, and ranch style market. Warmbloods and purpose‑bred sport horses are plentiful in the eastern states, and you’ll often find that a comparable competition horse in Australia costs less than an equivalent in Europe or the US. As a rough guide, kids’ ponies with good temperaments and some competition miles often sit between $8,000 and $25,000, while amateur‑friendly show jumpers and eventers with solid records frequently range from $25,000 to $60,000.

Most buyers start online. Popular Australian horse sales platforms, Facebook groups, and dealer websites are where you’ll see the bulk of horses for sale, especially in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. You’ll also find horses at auctions, both live and online, particularly Thoroughbreds coming off the track. In practice, the buying process is fairly straightforward: you contact the seller, request videos (ideally flatwork, jumping, and handling), and then arrange a viewing and trial ride. It’s normal to bring your own coach or experienced friend. If you’re interested after the ride, you book a pre‑purchase veterinary examination, usually with a local equine vet chosen by you, not the seller. In Australia, a standard vetting often includes a full clinical exam and flexion tests, with optional X‑rays depending on price and intended use; for performance horses over about $20,000, X‑rays are common and expected.

For international buyers, there are extra layers: export quarantine, travel arrangements, and paperwork. Australia has strict biosecurity rules, so you’ll be working with an export agent who coordinates blood tests, quarantine stays (commonly 2–4 weeks depending on destination), and flights. Budget roughly AUD $18,000–$30,000 to fly a horse from Australia to Europe or North America, depending on route and services. When you negotiate price, remember that a quiet, sound horse with a proven competition record or genuine all‑rounder temperament will always command a premium here. Be wary of very cheap horses that look “too good to be true”; distances make re‑viewing difficult, so ask for unedited video, recent competition records on Horse Deals or EA results pages, and a detailed vet report before you commit.

Everything about selling horses in Australia

When you’re selling a horse in Australia, you’re not just looking at local riders. Many horses are sold within their own discipline circles—campdrafters buying from campdrafters, dressage riders from dressage studs—but there’s also a steady trickle of interest from New Zealand, Asia, and occasionally Europe and the Middle East, especially for jumpers and quality show horses. Australia has a reputation for producing tough, sane horses that cope with varied terrain and climate, which appeals to both domestic and international buyers.

To sell successfully, you need to present your horse honestly and clearly. Good, natural‑light photos, a video that shows the horse walking, trotting, cantering, and, where relevant, jumping or working cattle, are essential. Buyers in Australia expect to see the horse ridden in an open arena and often out in a paddock or on a trail, not just in a perfect indoor. Clean gear, well‑fitted tack, and a tidy horse make a difference, but exaggerated “sales talk” tends to turn people off. Mention height in hands and centimetres, age, breed, registration, competition results, soundness history, and any quirks upfront. For pricing, look at comparable horses advertised on major Australian horse sale sites, then be realistic. A green but sensible off‑the‑track Thoroughbred may sit at $3,000–$6,000, while a quiet, proven interschool mount or all‑rounder can quickly climb into the $15,000–$35,000 range.

In terms of where to advertise, dedicated Australian horse sale websites, discipline‑specific Facebook groups, and local pony club or adult riding club networks are your best starting points. Dealers and professional riders will sometimes take horses on consignment, usually charging a commission of around 10–15% on sale price. If you know your horse could appeal overseas, talk early to an export agent or international dealer about what buyers in their region are currently seeking; sometimes small adjustments to training or competition exposure can significantly increase value. Timing matters too: in Australia, spring and early summer (August to December) is prime time to sell competition and pony club horses, as riders are planning the season ahead. Winter can be slower, especially in the southern states, but well‑priced, genuinely useful horses still move. Above all, remember that Australian buyers expect transparency. A clean vetting, clear communication about temperament and maintenance, and a willingness to let buyers bring their coach or vet will help you achieve a fair, timely sale in this unique and vibrant horse market.