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Shergar killed quickly, ransom refused
13 Jun
Summary
- Racehorse Shergar was killed within two days of his 1983 kidnapping.
- Ransom money was refused to prevent it funding harm to humans.
- The famous racehorse was not insured against kidnapping.
The tragic end of the celebrated racehorse Shergar, stolen 45 years ago, has been detailed by Princess Zahra Aga Khan. Shergar, who secured his place in history with a record-breaking 10-length victory in the 1980 Derby, was kidnapped from the Aga Khan's stud farm in County Kildare on February 8, 1983.
Princess Zahra revealed that the horse was killed within two days of his abduction. The demand for a £2 million ransom was deliberately not paid, as her father feared the funds could be used to harm others. This decision was also influenced by the fact that Shergar was owned by a syndicate, complicating any agreement on ransom payment.
Furthermore, it has emerged that Shergar was not insured against kidnapping, a risk seemingly unimaginable at the time. The kidnapping was attributed to the IRA, and it is widely believed the horse was killed shortly after being taken due to the inexperience of his captors in handling such a valuable thoroughbred. His remains have never been recovered, leaving a lasting mystery around the fate of the iconic Irish-bred racehorse.
