Voting Station

Shergar

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Animal

The Resume

    (circa 1978-circa February 8, 1983)
    Born in County Kildare, Ireland
    Sire: Great Nephew
    Dam: Sharmeen
    Owner: Aga Khan IV
    Trainer: Michael Stoute
    Jockeys: Walter Swinburn and Lester Pigott
    Eight races, 6 wins, one place
    Career winnings of $684,479
    Kidnapped from his stables on February 8, 1983, probably by the IRA

Why he might be annoying:

    He retired immediately after his sole finish out of the money.
    After the kidnapping, there were numerous false Shergar sightings, including a rumor that he was in Libya.
    According to an IRA informer, he was shot shortly after the kidnapping when he proved impossible to control.
    His insurance company refused to pay the owners, arguing the policy covered only death, and there was no proof the horse had died.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He won the Epsom Derby by a record 10 lengths (1981).
    He was named the European Horse of the Year (1981).
    It was eight hours after his abduction before anyone thought to inform the police.
    The investigation of the kidnapping was described as a ‘caricature of police bungling.’
    His owners refused to pay a ransom, reasoning that otherwise every racehorse in the world would become a kidnapping target.
    He was kidnapped just before stud season began, perhaps explaining why he was so tough to control.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 4 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 27 Votes: 48.15% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 159 Votes: 49.69% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 32 Votes: 53.12% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 21 Votes: 47.62% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 12 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 13 Votes: 30.77% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 28 Votes: 53.57% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 54 Votes: 40.74% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 47 Votes: 31.91% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 113 Votes: 47.79% Annoying