The Kidnapping of Racehorse Shergar (February 9, 1983)

On February 9, 1983, the racehorse Shergar was kidnapped from an Irish stud farm owned by the Aga Khan.

Abduction Details

Armed individuals entered the farm, roused the head groom, and forced him to lead them to Shergar. The horse was loaded onto a trailer, and the abductors stated a ransom demand would follow.

Shergar, a former European Horse of the Year, was valued by Lloyds of London at $20 million at stud.

He was notable for winning the 1981 Epsom Derby by a record 10 lengths before his retirement.

Investigation and Ransom

Irish police initiated an investigation. Attention focused on the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which had used bank robberies and kidnappings to fund its operations.

A $4 million ransom demand was communicated to Irish authorities. However, the Aga Khan, as the majority owner, had permitted 40 investors to take a stake in the horse.

These investors collectively refused to pay the ransom to discourage future abductions.

Unresolved Outcome

Over the following years, police and media received numerous hoax calls and false alarms regarding Shergar's status.

Shergar has never been found, and the kidnappers have not been officially identified.

Most evidence suggests a link to the IRA. Sean O'Callaghan, a former IRA activist, stated in his book "The Informer" that Shergar was killed by its abductors when they were unable to handle the animal.