Jim Irsay’s memorabilia collection shatters estimate at auction
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Jim Irsay collected many iconic sports memorabilia throughout his life.
The late Indianapolis Colts owner’s collection was offered in a live online auction at art and luxury auction house Christie’s. From Thursday through Saturday, the collection fetched more than $93 million at auction; this was well above the pre-auction estimate of $40 million.
Sports-themed items from the Irsay collection sold at auction, in addition to the coveted musical pieces, included Secretariat’s 1973 Triple Crown saddle, the Edmonton Oilers jersey worn by Wayne Gretzky when he scored his NHL-record 500th goal, and one of Jackie Robinson’s sticks from the 1953 season.
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Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay speaks to fans during Dwight Freeney’s induction into the Indianapolis Colts Pride Parade at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The saddle commanded a record price of $1.524 million in horse racing merchandise, with the Oilers’ jersey bringing in $952,500 and Robinson’s bat bringing in $406,400.
“The Irsay sale did justice to the genius of the collector and the monumental pieces he assembled, iconic objects that tell the story of our culture and our time,” Julien Pradels, president of Christie’s Americas, said in a statement.
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“The Irsay collection is unique, but Christie’s will have other great sales in this area in the future.”
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay during warm-ups before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on October 26, 2014 in Pittsburgh. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
23 world records were broken at the auction of Irsay’s memorabilia; Among them is a Pink Floyd guitar, the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction. Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour played the black Fender Stratocaster on six of the band’s albums.
Late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was memorialized on a slide in front of Lucas Oil Stadium on June 3, 2025. (Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
According to Christie’s, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Irsay’s collection will be donated to charities the late NFL owner championed throughout his life.
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In connection with Irsay’s death, the FBI contacted California-based addiction specialist Dr. Irsay, who reportedly prescribed him pain pills and ketamine. He launched an investigation, including a possible link to her relationship with Harry Haroutunian.
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