Shergar produced a number of blinding performances in the 1981 season to earn his place in racing history. He kicked off his three year old season by claiming the Guardian Classic Trial at Sandown Park by ten lengths. From there he went on to Chester to win the Chester Vase by twelve lengths. He then produced one of the best performances ever seen in the Epsom Derby where he laid waste to the field by ten lengths, the biggest ever winning margin in the race's history. He followed this up by capturing the Irish Derby and the King George VI by four lengths apiece. After than came his only failure as a three year old when for some reason he didn't run anywhere near his best and could only manage fourth place in the St Ledger.

After this he was retired to stud and it was there that the Shergar story takes a final sad turn. One night in February 1983 he was kidnapped from the stud in County Kildare and was never seen again. A very sad way to bring to an end the life of one of the greatest racehorses ever seen.