Shamshir was a chestnut mare with a white blaze and white socks on her hind legs, bred in the England by Luca Cumani's Fittocks Stud. She was sired by Kris, an outstanding miler who won fourteen of his sixteen races between 1979 and 1981. His other progeny included Oh So Sharp, Unite, Balisada and Shavian. Her dam Free Guest was a top-class racemare who won the Sun Chariot Stakes (twice), Nassau Stakes and Princess Royal Stakes. She was also a half-sister to Royal Ballerina who finished second in both The Oaks and the Irish Oaks.
