The Shergar mystery

By Martin Tyrrell FOR centuries horse and man have worked side by side. The horse was a vital part of rural life, to plough and sow, reap and mow and provide haulage and transport requirements. Of course the horse was well cared for with a manger full of fresh hay, specially prepared mash food, warm, straw bedding and plenty of water. It was also very well shod. At Newell's Forge the expert farrier, Sonny Newell, moulded the red-hot iron, well curved to fit on the prepared hoof. The iron was heated from the coal fire, kept alive by the hand-held bellows. A new set of horseshoes would last for several months and would be spaciously studded to cater for icy roads for the drive in the family trap or sidecar to morning Mass.[private] The horse would also feature in the various point to points, very much a launching pad for the great world of international show jumping. The same applied to the colourful local hunt and plough matches and of course the great Ballybrit venue and the Galway Races. The reliable Clysdale and the sturdy Irish Draught were important participants in the horse world. However, as the years went by, the status and improved profile of the Irish horse would emerge on the local and international scene. From Aintree to Epsom, from the Curragh to Leopardstown, Paris, Kentucky, the RDS and especially Flemington where the coveted Melbourne Cup was won by the great Vintage Crop trained by Dermot Weld, now grazing peacefully in the short grass Co of Kildare. Exports of Irish bred horses soared, now a multi-million business employing 20,000 people. The quality of Irish grassland has been reported to create a strong bone structure in the Irish horse and select breeding raised our equine industry to outstanding new heights and achievements world wide. The Cunningham family from Kilgill, Corrandulla had a long association with horses. Well-known trainer Michael Cunningham en­joyed great success, which included training the Galway-owned winner of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. SHERGAR In 1978 the great horse Shergar was foaled at the Ballymany Stud in Kildare. The dam was Sharmeen and the sire was Great Nephew. The horse and the Ballymany Stud at the Curragh were the property of the Aga Khan. His people have been coming to Ireland since the mid-thirties and have various investment here. His Royal Highness The Aga Khan is a wealthy international blood-stock owner and breeder and is the spiritual leader of 20 million Ismailis. Shergar had several major achievements on the race track including the King George Stakes, the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and Chester Vase to name but a few. However, in 1981, under 19-year-old Walter Swinburn, Shergar won the Epsom Derby by a record ten lengths, the longest margin in the 226-year history of the famous international classic. He was trained by Michael Stoute. Next came the Irish Derby under Lester Piggott, which he won by four lengths. In 1981 Shergar arrived in Newbridge and was paraded through the town in great fanfare. He then took up duties as stallion at Ballymany, Kildare and produced 35 foals from his first season. At this time I wrote to Ballymany and was invited to the famous stud to see Shergar. My good friend John Davin accompanied me. John had introduced me to the great Curragh of Kildare, the Japanese Gardens, The National Stud, horse museum and jockey training school a few years earlier. We were welcomed and given warm hospitality by Aga Khan key-man Tom Tyrrell (no relation) and his wife Mary. We were then taken to the Shergar stables and met the staff, who were most helpful. As Shergar was having his food, John and myself rubbed him down, a very docile and highly intelligent animal. His handler Jim Fehilly took the horse outside and I took the photograph you see. You will note the white socks and forehead. We were told that the horse's great power came from very strong lungs, great windpower. However we were also told his hooves were a bit brittle and if not regularly checked would get sore and the horse would become cranky and agitated. On a foggy evening on February 8, 1983, three months later (30th anniversary coming up) a horse trailer arrived at the stud buildings. Later a Ford Granada towing a horsebox pulled off the main Dublin Road and into the stud yard. The stud manager Jim Fitzgerald was taken to Shergar's stable. Shergar was loaded on to a double horsebox. There were six men in all. Shergar was towed away and the rest is history. It was a terrible tragedy for the racing world as the news spread around the globe. Attempts to claim ransom were made, obviously by subversives. No one was ever convicted. Of course those were terrible times in Ireland, violence was rampant. The thieves could not understand a high-class stallion that would go wild in the horsebox and would then be shot in the head. His remains were never found. It was a most touching and unforgettable experience as we shared the grief with horse lovers everywhere. The Chinese government has come to an agreement with Coolmore stud for the setting up of a new horse racing industry where Irish mares and stallions will take up duties. This is undoubtedly a major and most significant development in our great world of successful equine care and breeding. The Aga Khan, whose racing colours are green, has other studs in Ireland including famous Gilltown in Kildare where the great Sea The Stars now stands. The Queen paid a private visit to Gilltown during her memorable visit here last year. Seven Irish-bred horses were in the leading winning group in last year's Melbourne Cup. Eleven Irish-bred horses featured in the London Olympic Games last year. This adds to a most successful story of the Irish horse in today's world and its enormous benefit to the Irish economy. On the home front, the Aintree Grand National winner, Mountbellew's Bobby Joe, is another fine example of the success of the Irish horse. It is also a fitting tribute to the great local Burke family, successful business people in London, for their contribution to the horse industry and to Irish life. There is also a further monument to Bobby Joe on the Burke family farm at Mullaghmore where the horse matured and grazed its rich green fields and paddocks. Bobby Joe is buried here. There is a bridle hanging on the wall, The one that my old pony wore, No more he will answer to my call, There is a bridle hanging on the wall.[/private]