Shergar

Shergar
Racing silks of Shergar, those of Aga Khan
Sire	Great Nephew
Grandsire	Honeyway
Dam	Sharmeen
Damsire	Val de Loir
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	3 March 1978
Country	Ireland
Colour	Bay
Breeder	HH Aga Khan IV
Owner	HH Aga Khan IV
Trainer	Michael Stoute
Record	8: 6-1-0
Major wins
Guardian Classic Trial (1981) Chester Vase (1981) Epsom Derby (1981) Irish Derby (1981) King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1981)
Awards
Timeform rating: 140
Honours
Shergar Cup on Ascot Racecourse

Shergar (3 March 1978 – c. February 1983) was an Irish-bred, British-trained racehorse, and winner of the 202nd Epsom Derby (1981) by ten lengths – the longest winning margin in the race's history.

Two years later, on 8 February 1983, he was stolen from the Ballymany Stud, near The Curragh in County Kildare, Ireland by masked gunmen and was never seen again. The incident has been the inspiration for several books, documentaries, and a film.

Shergar was a bay horse with a broad white blaze bred by his owner the Aga Khan in County Kildare. Ireland. He was sired by Great Nephew, a British stallion whose wins included the Prix du Moulin and whose other progeny included Grundy, Mrs Penny and Tolmi.

Shergar was sent into training with Michael Stoute at Newmarket.

His first run was a win in a field of 23 by just over two lengths in the Kris Plate, and he set a course record at Newbury. In his only other run – the William Hill Futurity Stakes (now the Racing Post Trophy) at Doncaster, won by Beldale Flutter – he was second, losing by the same two-and-a-half-length margin by which he had won his first race.

His 3-year-old debut race in 1981 was the Guardian Classic Trial at Sandown Park. Racing correspondent Richard Baerlein, after watching the colt win by 10 lengths, famously advised race-goers that "at 8-1, Shergar for the Derby, now is the time to bet like men."