A LONG, complicated process lies ahead before there is any prospect of finding a solution to the mystery of Shergar's disappearance. That is the view of John Flynn, head of the Weatherbys' Blood-typing Laboratories in Co. Kildare, as he seeks to play down rumours that an end to the 13-year riddle is at hand.
The recent exhumation of a carcass in Donegal has sparked new hopes of a positive identification of the colt, kidnapped from the Ballymany Stud in 1983. But DNA profiles from the carcass, from Shergar's offspring and hair samples believed to be from the horse, must first be built before there is any possibility of knowing whether the remains are of the Derby winning colt.
Flynn, who will mastermind the process, warned: ``The potential is there for a 100%, unequivocal identification that the carcass is that of Shergar - but there is a long and difficult time ahead.
``There will have to be a complete and thorough testing procedure to be done and we will be relying on how the owners of Shergar's offspring respond. A DNA profile has to be built from the carcass and that has then to be matched up with the DNA profiles from other material, sources of hair which have come to light, and the horse's offspring.
``If all three were to match up, that would amount to overwhelming evidence, but the material is between 12 and 13 years old and it is a very protracted and uncertain business.
``It would be marvellous if the whole thing could be resolved, but it may take any amount of time, and at this stage I would rather be pessimistic than optimistic.'' The racing world has been captivated by the Shergar question since his disappearance 13 years ago.
The bay, owned by the Aga Khan and trained by Michael Stoute, stunned the public with his 10-length dismissal of the 1981 Derby field under the then 19-year-old jockey, Walter Swinburn.
Much blarney has been in evidence since the colt's disappearance, with links to the IRA, hoax ransom calls, and bogus sightings all playing their part.
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