Shergar - A Tribute

'Leg·end
noun
1. a notable person whose deeds or exploits are much talked about in his or her own time'

Shergar was born in 1978 Sired by Great Nephew and out of the Dam, Sharmeen.

He was bay with a white stripe down his nose and four white socks.

He began his training with Michael Stoute at Newmarket and made his debut race in 1981 at Sandown Park.

What could it be?

1. Could it be that he won 6 out of 8 races?
2. Could it be that he was worth 10 million?
3. Could it be that he was kidnapped, never to be heard of again?

Shergar was famous the whole world over and not just in his native Ireland.

He was owned by Aga Khan and a 34 part owner syndicate.

One his most famous victories was winning the Epsom Derby in 1981. Walter Swinburn, then 19, rode him home with 10 lengths to spare. It was to be a world record; the clearest and definite win in the history of the race in 226 years.

Of his eight ran races, he won six.

He won a total $684, 479 in prize money.

He was then put to stud in September 1981. The total cost of a foal sired by Shergar was £80, 000.

He served 35 mares in his first year and was expected to serve another 55 in 1983.

Despite being worth millions (10 to be exact), Shergar was not protected by CCTV. Would this have made a difference?

Date 8th February 1983
Time 8pm
Kidnappers The IRA although the Mafia was also suggested.
Events surrounding the crime A knock at the door of the head groom's (Jim Fitzgerald) flat, alerted him to the presence of a group of armed men wearing balaclavas. They stormed into the house and demanded that they wanted Shergar. They also wanted 2 million ransom if they wanted the horse back alive.

Jim Fitzgerald led them to Shergar's box and he was loaded into a horsebox. Jim was then instructed to climb into another car and the party drove off. After a few miles, Jim was dumped into the roadside and was ordered to keep walking without turning around.

Shergar had been taken the day before Ireland's biggest racehorse sale making detection extremely difficult.

The code word King Neptune would be used to open up the negotiations with Aga Khan and the syndicate. Only the syndicate was unwilling to pay the demands of the kidnappers due to fear of sparking off a spate of racehorse abductions.

A book, The Informer, published in 1998, named seven (IRA) men behind the kidnapping. it suggested that Shergar was machine-gunned to death, slowly dying an agonising death days after the kidnapping.

His body has never been found.

Gamblers on the horses often use good-luck charms and rituals. They will bet on lucky numbers, owner's colours and at random.

The standard rule is not to bet on a horse that has had its name changed as it is unlucky and it is also bad luck to wish a jockey good luck before a race.

The jockeys will also follow traditions preferring people not to use the word Jockey to address them but their real names and relying on lucky mascots and crops (which mustn't be dropped) for extra protection.