Sunday, 11 February 2018

Shergar - greatest horses!



I remember reading an article when I was young about Shergar and being fascinated by his story and the mystery surrounding his kidnapping.  In the years since he was taken many ideas and conspiracies were talked about until finally it was discovered that he was taken by the IRA.  It is now 35 years since he disappeared.


Born in March 1978 Shergar was bay with a white blaze and 4 white socks.  Bred in Ireland by his ower the Aga Khan, his sire was Great Nephew, another racehorse, and his dam was Sharmeen.
Shergar went to Newmarket to be trained by Michael Stoute, in his first run he set a new course record at Newbury, winning by just over 2 lengths in 1980.

In 1981, racing as a 3 year old, his first race of the year at Sandown, he won by 10 lengths.  He won the Chester Vase by 12 lengths that year aswell as the Epsom Derby by 10 lengths and the Irish Derby by 4 lengths.

The Aga Khan decided to sell shares in Shergar (but kept some) whilst he was winning and thus worth more.  Shergar went on to win at Ascot, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth stakes.  He then was beaten to finish 4th at Doncaster. 


Retired to stud in October of 1981 he sired 35 foals before his kidnapping. 

On February 8th 1983 he was taken from Ballymany Stud.  The head groom was forced at gunpoint to load Shergar into a horsebox, £2 million was demanded as a ransom.  Nobody knows for sure what happened to him but he (or his remains) were never found. 

I have read differing accounts of him, some that he was a difficult horse, and some that he was a kind, gentle horse.  However, he had one quirk - he always ran with his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth.

Whatever happened to him it seems incredibly sad that such an amazing horse could end his life in such a terrible way.




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Until next time!
Jo

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