A racing plate worn by Shergar when winning the 1981 Epsom Derby, mounted on a mahogany shield, set with plaques inscribed Shergar, Winner in 1981 Eps

A racing plate worn by Shergar when winning the 1981 Epsom Derby, mounted on a mahogany shield, set with plaques inscribed Shergar, Winner in 1981 Epsom Derby, Ridden by Walter Swinburn, Trainer M.R. Stoute, Owner The Aga Khan., 25 by 20cm. Shergar (1978-c1983) a bay colt with a white blaze and four white socks was bred by HH The Aga Khan IV at his private stud in County Kildare and sent in 1979 to be trained at Newmarket by (Sir) Michael Stoute. Reportedly of good temperament and easy to handle, Shergar won his first race, the Kris Plate at Newbury in September 1980, ridden by Lester Piggott. In prep races for the 1981 Derby, he won Sandown's Guardian Newspaper Classic Trial by ten lengths and the Chester Vase by 12 lengths under a young Walter Swinburn. At Epsom, Swinburn sent him to the front at Tattenham Corner and opened up an unassailable lead over their rivals, winning by ten lengths from Glint Of Gold and causing commentator Peter Bromley to remark ''You need a telescope to see the rest!''. In the Irish Derby, Piggott took over from the suspended Swinburn to record a four-length win and proclaimed Shergar one of the best horses he had ever ridden. Further victory came in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes but an uncharacteristically lethargic fourth in the St Leger on his way to a run in the Arc persuaded the Aga Khan to play safe and retire his champion to Ballymany Stud in October 1981. Shergar had won six of his eight races, accumulating ?440,000 in prize money. He was syndicated for ?10million at ?250,000 for each of 40 shares - a record price at the time - with a covering fee of ?60,000 - ?80,000 and, in his first - and only - season at stud, covered 44 mares from which 36 foals were produced. In February 1983, Shergar was kidnapped from his stable by three armed men and a ransom of ?2million subsequently demanded. When this was refused, a telephone call was received saying that things had ''gone wrong'' and that Shergar was dead. It is widely believed that the horse was killed by men inexperienced in handling stallions yet his remains have never been found and countless theories and speculation still surround the mystery to this day. Provenance: Clifford Lines, Shergar's work ridder at Michael Stoute's Freemason Lodge stables at Newmarket.