Sayajirao (1944–1966) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse. A full brother to 1945 Epsom Derby winner, Dante, he was out of the mare Rosy Legend and sired by the great Nearco who is described by Thoroughbred Heritage as "one of the greatest racehorses of the Twentieth Century" and "one of the most important sires of the century."Thoroughbred Heritage Nearco was not only unbeaten in racing, but also the patriarch of the most dominant sire line in Thoroughbred history.
Overview Sayajirao was purchased as a yearling by HH Maharaja of Baroda for what at the time was the very substantial sum of 28,000 guineas, the then equivalent of US$117,600. New York Times - 14 September 1947
Racing at age three, Sayajirao won the Lingfield Derby Trial and the Irish Derby Stakes.New York Times - 26 June 1947 He ran third in both The Derby and the 2,000 Guineas Stakes then won the third leg of the English Triple Crown, the St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster Racecourse. New York Times - 14 September 1947
As a sire Retired to stud in 1949, Sayajirao sired the winners of 410 races. His daughters foaled the winners of 261 races. Among those he sired were: Dark Issue (b. 1952) - won the Irish 1,000 Guineas Gladness (b. 1953) - winner of the 1958 Ascot Gold Cup Lynchris (b. 1957) - Yorkshire Oaks, Irish Oaks, Irish St. Leger, Beresford Stakes Zenobia (b. 1957) - won the Irish 1,000 Guineas Indiana (b. 1961) - wins included St. Leger Stakes, Great Voltigeur Stakes, Chester Vase, Ormonde Stakes The Spaniard (b. 1962) - won the Scottish Grand National I Say (b.1962) - won the Coronation Cup and finished 3rd in the Epsom Derby to Sea Bird
References
'Sayajirao' was also the name of a British Railways locomotive - as many LNER engines were. It was A2 class number 60530, a Peppercorn design
External links
Sayajirao's pedigree and partial racing stats