The death in February of Aga Khan IV – spiritual leader of 15 million Ismaili Muslims and billionaire horse owner – stirred ...

When Shergar retired at the end of that season, racehorse owners paid £10m for shares in his services impregnating mares. But the dream of prestigious offspring was shattered a year later when ...

He owned many stud farms in Ireland and was the owner of “wonder horse” Shergar, which in February 1983 was abducted from Ballymany, his farm near Newbridge, Co Kildare, and shot by an IRA gang.

owner of fast racing yachts, a familiar figure at Ascot and other racecourses, where his horses, not least the ill-fated Shergar – which was kidnapped by an armed gang thought to be the ...

Nicknamed “The Choirboy” for his angelic looks, Swinburn was 19 when he won the first of three Derbies at Epsom on Michael Stoute-trained Shergar, who posted a record 10-length margin.

As tributes are paid to the Aga Khan following his death at the age of 88, the revered owner-breeder will always be associated with his mighty colt Shergar, the spectacular winner of the 1981 Derby.

Fitzgerald was ordered to identify the stable of Epsom Derby-winning superstar racehorse Shergar and was told the gang were kidnapping the horse and would be demanding IR£2m for his safe return.

The colt had earned the right to be regarded as one of the all-time greats. When Shergar retired at the end of that season, racehorse owners paid £10m for shares in his services impregnating mares.