Sainfoin won the first four races of his career, ending his streak with a win in the Derby Stakes over a rain-soaked course. After that, it was all downhill for his racing career. The one bright spot in his stud career was 1903 English Triple Crown winner Rock Sand, who successfully maintained the male line and also wielded marked influence in the United States through his daughters.
Race record
11 starts, 4 wins, 1 second, 1 third, £8,449 plus 14 shillings
1889:
1890:
As an individual
A handsome, good-sized chestnut horse, Sainfoin was of sturdy make with a good shoulder. Existing photographs suggest that he was sickle-hocked. His form tailed off badly at 4 and 5 for unknown reasons.
As a stallion
Sainfoin's only notable runner was 1903 English Triple Crown winner Rock Sand, although his daughter Bromus won the important Seaton Delaval Plate as a juvenile and gained greater fame later on as the dam of two-time English leading sire Phalaris. Sainfoin's only other notable contribution was Tout Suite, whose unbeaten son Hurry On led the English general sire list in 1926 and continued the male line of unbeaten Barcaldine.
Notable progeny
Bromus (GB), Rock Sand (GB), Toute Suite (GB)
Connections
Sainfoin was bred by Queen Victoria at her Hampton Court Stud. He was owned by trainer John Porter, who purchased Sainfoin for a price variously reported at £500, £550, or £800 at the annual Hampton Court yearling sale and raced the colt as a juvenile in partnership with Sir Robert Jardine. Sainfoin was sold to Sir James Miller for £6,000 or £7,500 (again, accounts vary) following his victory in the Esher Stakes in April of his 3yo season, with a contingency clause that Porter (who continued to train the colt) would receive half the prize money if Sainfoin won the Derby, and Sainfoin actually raced under Porter's name in the Derby itself. He failed to win after the Derby and retired to stud at age 6. Following Miller's death in 1906, Sainfoin was sold to Lord Carnavon for 700 guineas and sent to Ireland, where he stood at the Cloghran Stud near Dublin. He died in Carlow, Ireland, in October 1911.
Pedigree notes
Sainfoin is inbred 3x3 to the “Emperor of Stallions,” 1852 dual English Classic winner Stockwell, and has a cross of Stockwell's full brother Rataplan at the fourth generation, making him inbred 4x5x4 to The Baron and Pocahontas. He is also inbred 5x5x5 to The Baron's sire Birdcatcher and 5x5 to 1834 St. Leger Stakes winner and four-time English leading sire Touchstone. Sainfoin is a full brother to Sierra, dam of 1911 English leading sire Sundridge and the good sprinters Elmstead and Amphora, all by Amphion. Sainfoin is also a half brother to 1902 Jockey Club Cup and Cesarewitch Handicap winner Black Sand (by Melanion).
Sanda, the dam of Sainfoin, failed to win on the flat but was a winner over hurdles. She is a half sister to 1876 Coronation Stakes winner Footstep (by See Saw) and is out of the Stockwell mare Sanda, whose dam Lady Evelyn (by Don John) won the 1849 Oaks Stakes.
Books and media
Sainfoin is one of 50 stallions profiled in Joe Palmer's Names in Pedigrees (1939, The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association; reprinted in 1974).
Fun facts
Race record
11 starts, 4 wins, 1 second, 1 third, £8,449 plus 14 shillings
1889:
- Won Astley Stakes (ENG, 5FT, Lewes)
1890:
- Won Esher Stakes (ENG, 8FT, Sandown)
- Won Dee Stakes (ENG, 12FT, Chester)
- Won Derby Stakes (ENG,12FT, Epsom)
- 2nd Hardwicke Stakes (ENG, 12FT, Ascot)
As an individual
A handsome, good-sized chestnut horse, Sainfoin was of sturdy make with a good shoulder. Existing photographs suggest that he was sickle-hocked. His form tailed off badly at 4 and 5 for unknown reasons.
As a stallion
Sainfoin's only notable runner was 1903 English Triple Crown winner Rock Sand, although his daughter Bromus won the important Seaton Delaval Plate as a juvenile and gained greater fame later on as the dam of two-time English leading sire Phalaris. Sainfoin's only other notable contribution was Tout Suite, whose unbeaten son Hurry On led the English general sire list in 1926 and continued the male line of unbeaten Barcaldine.
Notable progeny
Bromus (GB), Rock Sand (GB), Toute Suite (GB)
Connections
Sainfoin was bred by Queen Victoria at her Hampton Court Stud. He was owned by trainer John Porter, who purchased Sainfoin for a price variously reported at £500, £550, or £800 at the annual Hampton Court yearling sale and raced the colt as a juvenile in partnership with Sir Robert Jardine. Sainfoin was sold to Sir James Miller for £6,000 or £7,500 (again, accounts vary) following his victory in the Esher Stakes in April of his 3yo season, with a contingency clause that Porter (who continued to train the colt) would receive half the prize money if Sainfoin won the Derby, and Sainfoin actually raced under Porter's name in the Derby itself. He failed to win after the Derby and retired to stud at age 6. Following Miller's death in 1906, Sainfoin was sold to Lord Carnavon for 700 guineas and sent to Ireland, where he stood at the Cloghran Stud near Dublin. He died in Carlow, Ireland, in October 1911.
Pedigree notes
Sainfoin is inbred 3x3 to the “Emperor of Stallions,” 1852 dual English Classic winner Stockwell, and has a cross of Stockwell's full brother Rataplan at the fourth generation, making him inbred 4x5x4 to The Baron and Pocahontas. He is also inbred 5x5x5 to The Baron's sire Birdcatcher and 5x5 to 1834 St. Leger Stakes winner and four-time English leading sire Touchstone. Sainfoin is a full brother to Sierra, dam of 1911 English leading sire Sundridge and the good sprinters Elmstead and Amphora, all by Amphion. Sainfoin is also a half brother to 1902 Jockey Club Cup and Cesarewitch Handicap winner Black Sand (by Melanion).
Sanda, the dam of Sainfoin, failed to win on the flat but was a winner over hurdles. She is a half sister to 1876 Coronation Stakes winner Footstep (by See Saw) and is out of the Stockwell mare Sanda, whose dam Lady Evelyn (by Don John) won the 1849 Oaks Stakes.
Books and media
Sainfoin is one of 50 stallions profiled in Joe Palmer's Names in Pedigrees (1939, The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association; reprinted in 1974).
Fun facts
- In botany, “sainfoin” refers to a forage crop sometimes grown for hay.
- By the time of his death, Sainfoin was considered of so little account as a stallion that his death was not reported to the press for over a year.
- In 1943, HMS Sainfoin, a landing ship of the Royal Navy, was named for the Derby winner.