1986 English Derby winner Shahrastani was put down on Tuesday as age began to take its toll.  He was 28 years old.

The son of Nijinsky had been in retirement at Walton Fields Stud in Leicestershire since transferring from Ireland in 2002.

Shahrastani (Nijinsky – Shademah by Thatch) headed into the 1986 Derby having won the Dante Stakes and Sandown Classic Trial, and held off a fast-finishing Dancing Brave at Epsom to record a half-length victory for the Aga Khan and Sir Michael Stoute.

He went on to secure an impressive eight-length victory in the Irish Derby before finishing a well beaten fourth behind Dancing Brave in the King George VI Stakes.  He ended his career by running an honourable fourth in the Arc.

Syndicated to stand at Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky, he returned to Ballymany Stud in 1992 and was sold three years later to stand in Japan . He later stood at Clashmore Stud in Ireland before moving to Walton Fields.

He is the sire of 13 black-type winners including G1 winner Dariyoun and G2 winner Rifapour.

Shahrastani had a 100% record in Australia.  His only runner out here Shahi (USA) had won at Nottingham and Chepstow under Steve Cauthen.  After a 12 month stay at Lindsay Park, he relocated to Brad Graham’s stables at Secret Harbour.

Shahi was a regular runner over five seasons in Perth but an Ascot win in March 1994 was the only time he saluted the judge.