At the centre of the search for Shergar

February 1983

The young woman who has found herself at the centre of the search for the ten million pound horse-of-the-century ‘Shergar’ is a native of Enniscorthy and is well known throughout County Wexford.

She is the former Miss Judy Spring, daughter of Captain and Mrs J.A. Spring, Ballinadarra, a sportswoman extraordinaire, and now the wife of the very successful Northern trainer, Mr Jeremy Maxwell.

This newspaper first featured Judy Spring some years ago – as a successful point-to-point rider who was seeking her pilot’s licence with what was then the infant Wexford Flying Club, based at Castlebridge. She was at that time ‘riding out’ for South Wexford trainer, Mr Padge Berry, frequently riding to her work from Ballinadarra in the morning and home again in the evening.

It was to the Maxwell training establishment, and to Judy Maxwell in particular, that the people who claim to have removed ‘Shergar’ from Ballymany Stud near Newbridge made their telephone calls seeking payments.

It was also to her than three prominent English racing journalists travelled on Friday of last week, hoping to make contact with those who hold the valuable stallion, and negotiate his release.

While some believe the calls may have been the work of pranksters, Mrs Maxwell is convinced that they were genuine. Following a week-end of silence, she has appealed to the callers to contact her again.