Shergar

New information regarding the death of kidnapped stallion Shergar, has been revealed by Princess Zahra Aga Khan, the daughter of the colt's late co-owner, Aga Khan IV. A winner of the 1981 G1 Derby by a record 10 lengths and a brilliant racehorse, the son of Great Nephew is best known for his kidnapping from the Aga Khan's Ballymany Stud in Ireland on February 8, 1983. At the time, the IRA were the main suspects behind the kidnapping, which involved six armed men. The prevailing thought is that his abductors...

Epsom racecourse and the sponsor Betfred are to be saluted on their decision to run this year's Derby 'In Honour of His Highness Aga Khan IV'. No family has been a more constant competitor in the Derby over the past century than the Aga Khans. Most recently, HH Aga Khan IV, who died in February, headed the family's racing operation for 65 years, during which time he earned the respect and affection of professionals and public alike thanks to his unique blend of passion, knowledge, sportsmanship, courtesy and dignity.  ...

The Betfred Derby will this year be run in memory of HH Aga Khan IV. The spiritual leader of the world's Ismaili Muslims died on February 4 at the age of 88.  From Shergar's imperious romp in 1981 to Harzand's victory in partnership with the late Pat Smullen in 2016, the Aga Khan won the Epsom Classic five times with homebreds, including Shahrastani (1986), Kahyasi (1988), and Sinndar (2000), who went on to win the Irish Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. He also won last year's Betfred...

Connections of G1 Cazoo Derby favourite Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) were left purring after a scintillating exercise gallop on Thursday as Sir Michael Stoute put the finishing touches on what could become the legendary trainer's sixth win in the Classic. Stoute will forever be remembered for managing Shergar (Ire) to win the Derby in 1981 and followed up on that breakthrough success in the race with Shahrastani (1986), Kris Kin (2003), North Light (Ire) (2004) and Workforce (GB) (2010). Desert Crown advertised the trainer's claims of bolstering his Derby...

The racing public will decide which of three G1 Derby winners will join the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame. Voting is now open to select from Shergar (GB) (Great Nephew), Galileo (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) and Sea The Stars (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), and will close at midnight on Sunday May 22. Successful in the Derby in 1981, Shergar also landed the Irish equivalent and the G1 King Geroge VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond S. but was later kidnapped after a brief stint at stud. Former Coolmore kingpin Galileo...

Our concluding part of the series reflecting on one hundred years of the Aga Khan Studs begins in the 1980s with the rise of the legendary Shergar and incorporates some of the most celebrated horses of the modern era, as well as a special anniversary for HH the Aga Khan IV. The text is reproduced by kind permission from the Aga Khan Studs' centenary brochure, written by Emma Berry and John Berry.   Shergar's birth came in the year that HH the Aga Khan IV decided to renew his family...

One hundred years after the Aga Khan III made his first purchase at the Tattersalls July Sale, the bloodstock empire he built, and which has been carefully cultivated by his grandson, HH the Aga Khan IV, continues to thrive. Following Tuesday's first instalment of the early years of the Aga Khan Studs, the second part sees the baton pass in sad circumstances, heralding a major restructuring of the operation. The text is reproduced by kind permission from the Aga Khan Studs' centenary brochure, written by Emma Berry and John Berry.  ...