Shergar may have been defeated in the 81' St Leger. But no one can dispute the greatness of this horse!! IMO, he ranks among the top of the all-time great middle distance, European turf horses. It really was a very sad tragedy the fate that Shergar met.
something was a bit amiss: he wasn't going well even at 10 furlongs - he doesn't seem to pick up at all. There were reports at the time (a lot more rumour in those days, and less media) that Shergar had been mulish at home, not quite the sparkle there. He was still going to run in the Arc but they - well, decided not to, is the kindest expression. Those were the bad days when some horses' reputations weren't going to be risked by actually racing them. We're a lot luckier now.
shergar was more than a good horse he was one of the greats a pity they sent him for the leger he would have made a tremendous four year old this race was an unnecessary blot on a wonderful racehorse !!
dick hern's relay team - magikin, bustomi, cut above set a fierce pace on soft ground and i think that just found shergar out. Plus the first three were all late maturing types who were improving.
@littlebay75 the reason why you will never see another triple crown winner in our time, These days any owner of a guineas and Derby winner just knows to go straight to the Arc for greatness and not risk pointless defeat in a race at Doncaster over a distance great horses no longer race at. (See Seas the Stars for details)
Was Willie Carson suspended from riding in the Leger seeing as Joe Mercer took the ride on the Hern Trained Cut Above? We hear him as the runners are loading up taiking to Brough Scott.
@MEECHIO You've reminded me Frankschlanker, you are indeed correct. It was in the Yorkshire Oaks, he was lucky to survive it by all accounts. Thanks again for the recap.
i think watching the race again that shergar was struggling 3 furlongs out so even if he had of gone for the arc instead he would probably been beaten he was over the top a shadow of the wonder horse of earlier in the season
Stoute thought that Shergar would canter all over Glint Of Gold, Bustomi and Cut above; horses he had beaten easily over a mile and a half. The ground was on the soft side this day and although Shergar was clearly not the same animal that he had been at Epsom, The Curragh and Ascot, I think it's fair to say that he didn't stay the extra 2 and a bit furlongs. Michael Stoute said years later that it was the biggest mistake he ever made in his career - running the horse in the St. Leger.
I cant understand why they would want to run him in this race.At that particular time Derby winners very rarely appeared in the Leger.But there you go he ran and he got beat.Joe Mercer rode a fantastic race on Cut Above tho.
well done manutd 4 life for putting theses morons in their place how many great horses have been beaten in their final race, nijinsky, generous , dancing brave also only fourth, etc, etc, shergar didnt stay his racing style wasnt suited by the distance and he probably peaked in the king george he slaughtered cut above and glint of gold earlier any idiot with half a brain can see this wasnt his true form !!!!
Shergar was nothing better than a very good handicapper/Listed horse.To call him great is laughable.
A great horse would have picked these up and carried them in this race.
It was only 2 furlongs longer than his premium distance.Four hundred and forty yards!!.No excuses whatsoever..he wasnt good enough and his timeform rating should have been 125-126.
Yes, I've never quite seen how Shergar's Derby was so highly rated, given that it was a bog, Glint of Gold was hampered and Kalaglow injured. There wasn't another decent horse in the race. His Irish Derby was more impressive, but really great horses have to put in a few great performances over the course of time rather than one or two in a couple of months. Very, very good horse, but just not enough to judge great.
For your information little boy if you want to quote time form. Shergar was rated 137 3 points behind both Dancing Brave and Sea the Stars (who who also have destroyed Shergar) Face up to the facts mate he beat a sub standard field of little more than decent handicappers. There have been many better than your mighty Shergar it's just sentiment taking over given the horses unfortunate circumstances. By the way your not A.K.A. MrPapaBill are you because you talk the same level of shit.
@bigttim1 you are quite correct when you say Shergar was revered on pure sentiment.If he hadnt have been kidnapped you barely be able to recall his so called achievements....which in truth was very little.He was a good horse dont get me wrong, but in no way shape or form could he or should he ever be mentioned in the same breath as a true great like Dancing Brave.....worlds and leagues apart.
Shergar may have been horse in the year I was born, 1981 but Cut Above stole the show in the St Leger. As a bigger upset as Sole Power was recently in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York.
Oh and one final point sunshine...Did you enjoy the Shergar Cup at Ascot the UKs premire track, perhaps you could enlighten me what races are ran in DBs honour, or perhaps Nijinskys, i cant think of any, can you??? Shergar has a full day of racing from the UKs premire track on a saturday in his honour, have you ever wondered why that is, Shergar will always be remembered as the greatest Derby winner ever, and all forms of ratings agree with this FACT
@MANUTD4LIFE171 er, didn't Timeform have Sea Bird II and Mill Reef rated higher than Shergar? Also, it's really unfair to say DB is inferior to Shergar because of that Derby performance, where he was given a poor ride. He proved his ability over the trip in the King George and Arc. They rank alongside each other for me, as two greats. To castigate one over the other is silly.
@Foinavon67 Timeform is an opinion from so called experts, they no no more than me and you, even saying that Timeform rate Shergars Derby run as better than any other including Sea Bird and Nijinsky, DB was a good horse but to compare him to Shergar is insane, there realy is no comparison, Shergar will always be remembered as superior and rightly so, he was a wonder horse
Would seem Shergar weakend 2 out, didnt get 1m6f. He beat Cut Above and Glint of Gold easily in previous races. Did he get injured here? I was only born in 75 so im not sure if he did as he never raced again.
@mallafets I agree he just didnt get the extra 2 furlongs, but over 1m4 Shergar was the greatest horse in history, its ashame this race kind of tarnished his reputation, they retired him to stud after this race, it wasnt through injury, it was cause they wanted to make loads of money out of him at stud
@MANUTD4LIFE171 Best ever eh!!! Good horse as he was he would never have lived with either Dancing Brave or Nijinsky and most of the experts who know a lot more than you agree with that sonny.
@bigttim1 You know nothing at all, DB wasnt in the same class as Shergar, Remember Sharastani??? well he was trained by Stoute also and ridden by Swinburn, you would have had to pick the pair of them up off the floor in fits of histerics if you told them Sharastani could beat Shergar, "and here comes DB powering down the middle of the track" but he never ever gets there no matter how many times you watch it, Sharastani won a horse who jockey and trainer know was knowere near Shergars ability
@MANUTD4LIFE171 Sentimental pish little boy about a kidnapped horse who beat a hugely substandard crop when being aloud to make the running. It's fascinating to see what the horse of the century did here when he had to quicken of a strong pace. Go back and play with your toys little boy and don't bother me with your futile piss.
@bigttim1 Yes im a little boy whos favourite horse raced in 1981, yes that makes sense, only a jock would make such a dumb comment. Shergar didnt make the running he took it up with 4 to go and scooted clear. he didnt stay the trip in the Leger but that doesnt mean his 12 furlong form should be questioned, yes the Derby wasnt a vintage renewal but make no mistake he would have delt with any other Derby field in history and TimeForm agree as he remains the highest rated derby winner ever
@bigttim1 how do you know these so called experts you speak of know more than me, who are these experts, the guys you listen to talking bollocks on the morning line who couldnt tip shit out of a wheel barrow, il agree Nijinsky was of a similar standard to Shergar but over 12 furlongs id fancy Shergar to win, Dancing Brave was no were near either of there standards, Golden Fleece had the gears to come from last to first, even New Approach did, DB didnt, now go and learn something about racing
Shergar may have been defeated in the 81' St Leger. But no one can dispute the greatness of this horse!! IMO, he ranks among the top of the all-time great middle distance, European turf horses. It really was a very sad tragedy the fate that Shergar met.
GBeret83 5 months ago
something was a bit amiss: he wasn't going well even at 10 furlongs - he doesn't seem to pick up at all. There were reports at the time (a lot more rumour in those days, and less media) that Shergar had been mulish at home, not quite the sparkle there. He was still going to run in the Arc but they - well, decided not to, is the kindest expression. Those were the bad days when some horses' reputations weren't going to be risked by actually racing them. We're a lot luckier now.
ComteLafon 6 months ago
Thirty years ago- crikey- seems like yesterday, and other cliches...
Just watching this again and I can see no excuses- Shergar just wasn't good enough at the distance.
The only thing I can offer in explanation is that there was a deliberate effort by the Hern team to run the finish out of him.
tigerboy1966 6 months ago
Comment removed
Bukattingi1 8 months ago
shergar was more than a good horse he was one of the greats a pity they sent him for the leger he would have made a tremendous four year old this race was an unnecessary blot on a wonderful racehorse !!
Mr75littlebay 9 months ago
dick hern's relay team - magikin, bustomi, cut above set a fierce pace on soft ground and i think that just found shergar out. Plus the first three were all late maturing types who were improving.
dayjur90 11 months ago
im sure only shergar and reference point have gone for the leger after winning the derby since nijinsky won the triple crown
littlebay75 1 year ago
@littlebay75 the reason why you will never see another triple crown winner in our time, These days any owner of a guineas and Derby winner just knows to go straight to the Arc for greatness and not risk pointless defeat in a race at Doncaster over a distance great horses no longer race at. (See Seas the Stars for details)
stecar18 9 months ago
dancing brave was a hold up horse shergar a relentless galloper what a race it would be between those two
littlebay75 1 year ago
Was Willie Carson suspended from riding in the Leger seeing as Joe Mercer took the ride on the Hern Trained Cut Above? We hear him as the runners are loading up taiking to Brough Scott.
MEECHIO 1 year ago
@MEECHIO Wasnt that the year Willies horse Silken Knot fell on the bend at York and he was hospitalised for a while with serious injuries?
frankschlanker 1 year ago
@MEECHIO You've reminded me Frankschlanker, you are indeed correct. It was in the Yorkshire Oaks, he was lucky to survive it by all accounts. Thanks again for the recap.
MEECHIO 1 year ago
i think watching the race again that shergar was struggling 3 furlongs out so even if he had of gone for the arc instead he would probably been beaten he was over the top a shadow of the wonder horse of earlier in the season
littlebay75 1 year ago
Stoute thought that Shergar would canter all over Glint Of Gold, Bustomi and Cut above; horses he had beaten easily over a mile and a half. The ground was on the soft side this day and although Shergar was clearly not the same animal that he had been at Epsom, The Curragh and Ascot, I think it's fair to say that he didn't stay the extra 2 and a bit furlongs. Michael Stoute said years later that it was the biggest mistake he ever made in his career - running the horse in the St. Leger.
ThefightingCelt 1 year ago
I cant understand why they would want to run him in this race.At that particular time Derby winners very rarely appeared in the Leger.But there you go he ran and he got beat.Joe Mercer rode a fantastic race on Cut Above tho.
frankschlanker 1 year ago
well done manutd 4 life for putting theses morons in their place how many great horses have been beaten in their final race, nijinsky, generous , dancing brave also only fourth, etc, etc, shergar didnt stay his racing style wasnt suited by the distance and he probably peaked in the king george he slaughtered cut above and glint of gold earlier any idiot with half a brain can see this wasnt his true form !!!!
littlebay75 1 year ago
Shergar was nothing better than a very good handicapper/Listed horse.To call him great is laughable.
A great horse would have picked these up and carried them in this race.
It was only 2 furlongs longer than his premium distance.Four hundred and forty yards!!.No excuses whatsoever..he wasnt good enough and his timeform rating should have been 125-126.
sonofscrewcap 1 year ago
Yes, I've never quite seen how Shergar's Derby was so highly rated, given that it was a bog, Glint of Gold was hampered and Kalaglow injured. There wasn't another decent horse in the race. His Irish Derby was more impressive, but really great horses have to put in a few great performances over the course of time rather than one or two in a couple of months. Very, very good horse, but just not enough to judge great.
ComteLafon 1 year ago
For your information little boy if you want to quote time form. Shergar was rated 137 3 points behind both Dancing Brave and Sea the Stars (who who also have destroyed Shergar) Face up to the facts mate he beat a sub standard field of little more than decent handicappers. There have been many better than your mighty Shergar it's just sentiment taking over given the horses unfortunate circumstances. By the way your not A.K.A. MrPapaBill are you because you talk the same level of shit.
bigttim1 1 year ago
@bigttim1 you are quite correct when you say Shergar was revered on pure sentiment.If he hadnt have been kidnapped you barely be able to recall his so called achievements....which in truth was very little.He was a good horse dont get me wrong, but in no way shape or form could he or should he ever be mentioned in the same breath as a true great like Dancing Brave.....worlds and leagues apart.
sonofscrewcap 1 year ago
Shergar may have been horse in the year I was born, 1981 but Cut Above stole the show in the St Leger. As a bigger upset as Sole Power was recently in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York.
uhegbu 1 year ago
Oh and one final point sunshine...Did you enjoy the Shergar Cup at Ascot the UKs premire track, perhaps you could enlighten me what races are ran in DBs honour, or perhaps Nijinskys, i cant think of any, can you??? Shergar has a full day of racing from the UKs premire track on a saturday in his honour, have you ever wondered why that is, Shergar will always be remembered as the greatest Derby winner ever, and all forms of ratings agree with this FACT
MANUTD4LIFE171 1 year ago
@MANUTD4LIFE171 er, didn't Timeform have Sea Bird II and Mill Reef rated higher than Shergar? Also, it's really unfair to say DB is inferior to Shergar because of that Derby performance, where he was given a poor ride. He proved his ability over the trip in the King George and Arc. They rank alongside each other for me, as two greats. To castigate one over the other is silly.
Foinavon67 1 year ago
@Foinavon67 Timeform is an opinion from so called experts, they no no more than me and you, even saying that Timeform rate Shergars Derby run as better than any other including Sea Bird and Nijinsky, DB was a good horse but to compare him to Shergar is insane, there realy is no comparison, Shergar will always be remembered as superior and rightly so, he was a wonder horse
MANUTD4LIFE171 1 year ago
Would seem Shergar weakend 2 out, didnt get 1m6f. He beat Cut Above and Glint of Gold easily in previous races. Did he get injured here? I was only born in 75 so im not sure if he did as he never raced again.
mallafets 1 year ago
@mallafets I agree he just didnt get the extra 2 furlongs, but over 1m4 Shergar was the greatest horse in history, its ashame this race kind of tarnished his reputation, they retired him to stud after this race, it wasnt through injury, it was cause they wanted to make loads of money out of him at stud
MANUTD4LIFE171 1 year ago
@MANUTD4LIFE171 Best ever eh!!! Good horse as he was he would never have lived with either Dancing Brave or Nijinsky and most of the experts who know a lot more than you agree with that sonny.
bigttim1 1 year ago
@bigttim1 You know nothing at all, DB wasnt in the same class as Shergar, Remember Sharastani??? well he was trained by Stoute also and ridden by Swinburn, you would have had to pick the pair of them up off the floor in fits of histerics if you told them Sharastani could beat Shergar, "and here comes DB powering down the middle of the track" but he never ever gets there no matter how many times you watch it, Sharastani won a horse who jockey and trainer know was knowere near Shergars ability
MANUTD4LIFE171 1 year ago
@MANUTD4LIFE171 Sentimental pish little boy about a kidnapped horse who beat a hugely substandard crop when being aloud to make the running. It's fascinating to see what the horse of the century did here when he had to quicken of a strong pace. Go back and play with your toys little boy and don't bother me with your futile piss.
bigttim1 1 year ago
@bigttim1 Yes im a little boy whos favourite horse raced in 1981, yes that makes sense, only a jock would make such a dumb comment. Shergar didnt make the running he took it up with 4 to go and scooted clear. he didnt stay the trip in the Leger but that doesnt mean his 12 furlong form should be questioned, yes the Derby wasnt a vintage renewal but make no mistake he would have delt with any other Derby field in history and TimeForm agree as he remains the highest rated derby winner ever
MANUTD4LIFE171 1 year ago
@bigttim1 how do you know these so called experts you speak of know more than me, who are these experts, the guys you listen to talking bollocks on the morning line who couldnt tip shit out of a wheel barrow, il agree Nijinsky was of a similar standard to Shergar but over 12 furlongs id fancy Shergar to win, Dancing Brave was no were near either of there standards, Golden Fleece had the gears to come from last to first, even New Approach did, DB didnt, now go and learn something about racing
MANUTD4LIFE171 1 year ago