Sherani is being trained in Cheshire

Vijay de la Nerolle, who lives in Caernarfon, is the proud owner of one of the offspring of the prize stallion that sparked a nationwide search when he was kidnapped in 1983.

Sherani, a grand-daughter of Shergar, was born on Mr de la Nerolle's farm in Llanrug.

Now three years old, the filly is being trained for her first taste of racing at stables near Chester.

Sherani's mother was herself from a long line of successful race horses and was owned by Mr de la Nerolle, who is originally from Sri Lanka.

He decided to breed her with one of Shergar's sons.

She is vibrant, shows aggression and has all the qualities of a good race horse Vijay de la Nerolle

"I though she deserved one of the best young stallions around so I took her to Devon to Shergar's son, Cigar," he says.

"She conceived, and within 11 months gave birth.

"I had to wait for two days for Sherani to arrive.

"I waited and waited and as soon as I turned my back to go and have a cup of coffee, she arrived!

"I am not a professional horse breeder and so far, she has only been a pet, but coming up to three years old, I felt it was time for her to start running."

Distinctive white star

The three-year-old filly's name is a combination of the name Shergar and the word "rani", which means princess in Mr de la Nerolle's native tongue.

If looks are anything to go by, it bodes well for the young filly to follow in the footsteps of her famous grandfather.

She is the same dark beige colour and has a similar distinctive white star on her forehead.

"She is vibrant, shows aggression and has all the qualities of a good race horse," says her owner.

"She is muscular and has terrific breeding."

But he says he will not be disappointed if she does not turn out to be a prize winner like her famous ancestor.

"If it doesn't work out, I will bring her back here to keep as a pet," he says.

Derby winner

The 76-year-old, who moved to Caernarfon 15 years ago after retiring as a law lecturer from the University of North London, has always been a horse lover.

"I used to have six horses, but I am getting old now and the trouble is that my wife doesn't allow me to ride any more!"

"But I do, secretly, despite the fact that my grand-children tell on me if the see me riding!"

Shergar, a winner of the British and Irish Derbies and owned by the Aga Khan, was kidnapped in 1983, allegedly by the IRA.

He was taken by six men from the Ballymany Stud in County Kildare, Ireland, and a �2m ransom was demanded.