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.
"[1] Nearco was not only unbeaten in racing, but also the patriarch of the most dominant sire line in Thoroughbred history.
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.
[4] Retired to stud in 1949, Sayajirao sired the winners of 410 races.
Among those he sired were: 'Sayajirao' was also the name of a British Railways locomotive - as many LNER engines were.