Sagaro (1971–1986) was an Irish-bred, French-trained thoroughbred racehorse. He is regarded as one of the best stayers ever in Europe on the Flat. Background Sagaro was a chestnut horse bred by his owner Gerald Oldham, the Geneva-based financier and owner of Citadel Stud, Co Kildare. His sire Espresso, a half brother to the leading Australasian sire King of Babylon, won ten races including the Newbury Summer Cup, Vaux Gold Tankard and the Grosser Preis von Baden twice. He was also fourth in the Washington International. Sagaro's dam was half-sister to Mr Oldham's Chicago who won the Henry II Stakes at Sandown and Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot. Racing career Sagaro was trained at Lamorlaye in France by François Boutin. He won in every season from 1973 to 1977. As a two year old he ran three times winning once over 8.5 furlongs on good ground. 1974: three-year-old season In 1974 as a three-year-old Sagaro won four races from 12 furlongs to just short of two miles. His campaign started with a win over 12 furlongs on good ground in the Prix Canot at Saint-Cloud. On April 21 he finished 4th over 10 furlongs plus on good ground in the Prix Daru at Longchamp, ridden by Lester Piggott.Sagaro then won the Prix Lovelace at Maisons-Laffitte again over 12 furlongs. The next race was the 1 mile 7 furlong Prix de Esperance against 6 rivals which he won by 2 and 1/2 lengths on yielding ground again ridden by Lester Piggott. Sagaro "won as his jockey pleased" according to Timeform. Sagaro's first major success came in the Grand Prix de Paris over nearly 2 miles on Sunday 30 June 1974 at Longchamp. He won on soft ground in a field of 18 by two lengths "hands down" from Bustino Timeform Racehorses of 1974 said "Two furlongs out Sagaro moved through smoothly and strongly on the outside; in a few strides the whole complexion of the race changed.. it was all over" Lester Piggott his regular jockey said of the performance "he won in great style" and "Sagaro had much more speed than the average stayer and no matter how long the race could produce a dazzling turn of foot in the closing stages". Sagaro was rated 131 in 1974 by Timeform who concluded he was "a very good stayer". Sagaro completed his 3yo season by dropping back to a mile and a