Why Is the Shergar Cup Named After Shergar? The Story Behind the Racing Legend

Ahead of this weekend’s Shergar Cup at Ascot, many racing fans will know the name, but fewer know the remarkable story behind the horse it honours.

Shergar was one of the greatest thoroughbreds ever to grace the turf, producing a short but unforgettable career before becoming the centre of one of racing’s most enduring mysteries.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute and owned by the Aga Khan, Shergar’s three-year-old campaign in 1981 ranks among the finest in British and Irish racing history. He won the Sandown Classic Trial by ten lengths before producing an astonishing 12-length victory in the Chester Vase.

His defining performance came in the Derby at Epsom, where Walter Swinburn steered him to a record-breaking ten-length success. Nearly 250 years after the race was first run, it remains the widest winning margin in Derby history. Shergar followed up by winning both the Irish Derby and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes by four lengths, establishing himself as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

Although his racing career ended with defeat in the St Leger, Shergar retired as one of the most valuable stallions in the world and was expected to have an equally significant impact on breeding.

Reflecting on his legacy, racing journalist Richard Forristal wrote: “He was the £10 million blueblood, a sensational specimen whose ten-length rout of his Epsom opposition is to this day the single most dominant performance in the sport’s most prestigious Classic. Conveniently for the retrospective narrative, Shergar was something close to the perfect horse, a magnificent embodiment of what two and a half centuries of selective breeding had sought to achieve.”

Just months after retiring to stud, however, Shergar disappeared from Ballymany Stud in County Kildare after being taken by unknown individuals. It is widely believed he was killed soon afterwards, although his remains have never been found and exactly what happened has never been fully established, making it one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in racing history.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan, daughter of the Aga Khan, later revealed the family learned Shergar had died within days of his disappearance.

She said: “It was very unprofessionally done, and when they finally killed him they did so in an awful way. The horse didn’t deserve that. Even as a stallion he was the kindest horse in the world, he was so unfairly treated. And why? He was a national symbol of Irish breeding and racing. It’s a long time ago, it was a very different world and people had different motivations back then.”

Despite the tragic end to his story, Shergar’s legacy has endured. Towards the end of the 1990s, the Aga Khan introduced the Shergar Cup at Ascot in tribute to his legendary champion.

Today, the Shergar Cup is one of the most distinctive fixtures in the racing calendar, with teams of jockeys from around the world competing for honours. More than four decades after his unforgettable Derby triumph, Shergar’s name continues to be celebrated each summer, ensuring one of racing’s greatest horses is remembered for the brilliance he showed on the track as much as the mystery that surrounds his fate.

Experience the Shergar Cup in Style
The Shergar Cup offers one of the most unique afternoons in the British racing calendar, combining world-class Flat racing with an exciting team format and a lively atmosphere at Ascot. Whether you’re entertaining clients, celebrating a special occasion or simply looking to enjoy a memorable day at the races, Eventmasters offers a range of official hospitality packages, including fine dining, premium seating and exclusive facilities, ensuring you can experience every moment of this iconic meeting in comfort and style.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Shergar Cup?

The Shergar Cup is an annual horse racing fixture held at Ascot Racecourse, featuring teams of jockeys from around the world competing across a series of races. The event celebrates the legacy of Shergar, one of the greatest Derby winners in racing history.

Why is the Shergar Cup named after Shergar?

The Shergar Cup is named in honour of Shergar, the legendary racehorse who won the 1981 Derby by a record ten lengths. The event was created by the Aga Khan in the late 1990s as a lasting tribute to one of racing’s most famous champions.

Who was Shergar?

Shergar was a champion racehorse trained by Sir Michael Stoute and owned by the Aga Khan. During his outstanding three-year-old season in 1981, he won the Derby, Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, establishing himself as one of the greatest middle-distance horses of all time.

How much did Shergar win the Derby by?

Shergar won the 1981 Derby at Epsom by ten lengths, the biggest winning margin in the history of the race. His dominant performance remains one of the most memorable moments in British racing.

When is the Shergar Cup held?

The Shergar Cup takes place annually at Ascot Racecourse during the summer racing season. The fixture features a full day of competitive racing and attracts some of the world’s leading jockeys.

Where is the Shergar Cup held?

The Shergar Cup is held at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, one of the UK’s leading racecourses and home to some of the biggest events in the racing calendar.

Is Shergar the greatest Derby winner ever?

Many racing experts consider Shergar one of the greatest Derby winners of all time. His ten-length victory at Epsom, combined with his dominant wins in the Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, places him among the sport’s all-time greats.

What happened to Shergar after his racing career?

After retiring from racing in 1981, Shergar began his stud career at Ballymany Stud in Ireland. In 1983, he disappeared from the stud in an incident that remains one of racing’s most enduring mysteries. His legacy, however, continues through the Shergar Cup and the memories of his remarkable racing achievements.