Shahrastani

Shahrastani
Racing silks of Aga Khan
Sire	Nijinsky
Grandsire	Northern Dancer
Dam	Shademah
Damsire	Thatch
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	March 27, 1983
Country	United States
Colour	Chestnut
Breeder	HH Aga Khan IV
Owner	HH Aga Khan IV
Trainer	Michael Stoute
Record	7: 4-1-0
Earnings	US$987,692 (equivaklent)
Major wins
Sandown Classic Trial (1986) Dante Stakes (1986) Epsom Derby (1986) Irish Derby (1986)
Awards
Timeform rating: 135
Last updated on May 13, 2007

Shahrastani (1983–2011) was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He won four of his seven races between September 1985 and October 1986. He is best known for his performances in the summer of 1986 when he defeated Dancing Brave in the Epsom Derby, and won the Irish Derby by eight lengths. At the end of the season he was retired to stud, where he made little impact as a stallion. He died in 2011.

Shahrastani was a chestnut horse with a broad white blaze bred in Kentucky by his owner HH Aga Khan IV. He was sired by the Triple Crown winner Nijinsky and was the first foal of the mare Shademah, a half sister to the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Shakapour. The colt was sent into training with Michael Stoute at Newmarket and was ridden in all his races by Walter Swinburn.

Sharastani was not highly tried as a two-year-old and appeared on the racecourse only once. In September he finished strongly to be second by a head to My Ton Ton in the Haynes, Hanson and Clark Conditions Stakes at Newbury. Timeform described him as being "sure to improve" and a "very useful colt in the making".

In 1986 Shahrastani was aimed at the Epsom Derby and began his season by winning the Sandown Classic Trial in April. He was described as looking extremely impressive as he defeated the previously unbeaten Royal Lodge Stakes winner Bonhomie. A month later he was set to York where he won the Dante Stakes.