Irish race horse Shergar annihilates the field at Britain's prestigious Epsom Derby, winning by an unheard-of 10 lengths. It was the biggest margin of victory in the race's 226-year history.
Can't catch me —
Irish race horse Shergar annihilates the field at Britain's prestigious Epsom Derby, winning by an unheard-of 10 lengths. It was the biggest margin of victory in the race's 226-year history.
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The champion thoroughbred was owned by the Aga Khan (pictured center), the billionaire spiritual leader to 15 million Ismaili Muslims.
Aga Khan's colt —
The champion thoroughbred was owned by the Aga Khan (pictured center), the billionaire spiritual leader to 15 million Ismaili Muslims.
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"I rode champions for many years afterwards and no one came close," said British jockey Walter Swinburn, who as a 19-year-old rode Shergar to that historic Epsom Derby win.
Superstar horse —
"I rode champions for many years afterwards and no one came close," said British jockey Walter Swinburn, who as a 19-year-old rode Shergar to that historic Epsom Derby win.
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Of his eight races, Shergar won six, earning £436,000 ($688,000) in prize money. As a breeding stallion he was valued at a staggering £10 million ($16 million).
Winning steak —
Of his eight races, Shergar won six, earning £436,000 ($688,000) in prize money. As a breeding stallion he was valued at a staggering £10 million ($16 million).
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"He was one of those no-nonsense horses, nothing fazed him," Swinburn said of the colt with the distinctive white blaze on his face and four white 'socks.'
A placid pony —
"He was one of those no-nonsense horses, nothing fazed him," Swinburn said of the colt with the distinctive white blaze on his face and four white 'socks.'
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Horse racing commentator Derek Thompson was called in to negotiate with the kidnappers. "When we arrived in Belfast there were hundreds of reporters, it was like we were film stars," he said.
Thompson on track —
Horse racing commentator Derek Thompson was called in to negotiate with the kidnappers. "When we arrived in Belfast there were hundreds of reporters, it was like we were film stars," he said.
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Thompson, along with horse racing journalists John Oaksey and Peter Campling stayed at the Europa Hotel in Belfast, known as the 'most bombed hotel in Europe.'
Ireland's troubles —
Thompson, along with horse racing journalists John Oaksey and Peter Campling stayed at the Europa Hotel in Belfast, known as the 'most bombed hotel in Europe.'
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Thompson believes the Irish Republican Army was responsible for the kidnapping, pointing to evidence in former member Sean O'Callaghan's 1999 autobiography 'The Informer.'
Whodunnit? —
Thompson believes the Irish Republican Army was responsible for the kidnapping, pointing to evidence in former member Sean O'Callaghan's 1999 autobiography 'The Informer.'
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Shergar's kidnappers have never been found. But the horse's memory lives on in the annual Shergar Cup, held at Ascot.
Shergar's memory —
Shergar's kidnappers have never been found. But the horse's memory lives on in the annual Shergar Cup, held at Ascot.
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