Shahrastani (1983–2011) was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He won four of his seven races between September 1985 and October 1986. He is best known for his performances in the summer of 1986 when he defeated Dancing Brave in the Epsom Derby, and won the Irish Derby by eight lengths. At the end of the season he was retired to stud, where he made little impact as a stallion. He died in 2011.

Background

Shahrastani was a chestnut horse with a broad white blaze bred in the Kentucky by his owner HH Aga Khan IV. He was sired by the Triple Crown winner Nijinsky and was the first foal of the mare Shademah, a half sister to the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Shakapour. The colt was sent into training with Michael Stoute at Newmarket and was ridden in all his races by Walter Swinburn.

Racing career

1985:two-year-old season

Sharastani was not highly tried as a two-year-old and appeared on the racecourse only once. In September he finished strongly to be second by a head to My Ton Ton in the Haynes, Hanson and Clark Conditions Stakes at Newbury. Timeform described him as being "sure to improve" and a "very useful colt in the making".