Through first-hand testimony and political context, the series traces how a single act of theft cast a long shadow over racing and beyond. Decades later, Shergar remains both a legend and an unresolved mystery.

Codename: Arkle

8th February 1983

Episode one begins with Shergar’s extraordinary rise. Bred by the Aga Khan and trained in Ireland, his power and grace electrified the racing world. His record‑breaking win at the 1981 Epsom Derby transforms him from champion to global phenomenon, eventually leading to his retirement to stud at Ballymany, County Kildare, where he becomes both a multimillion‑pound investment and an international sensation.

Set against the backdrop of IRA activity, this gripping documentary investigates the extraordinary kidnapping of Shergar, a Derby-winning racehorse and global icon.

Codename: Arkle

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