Princess Zahra Aga Khan has revealed that the renowned racehorse Shergar was tragically killed within 48 hours of being abducted. The mysterious theft of this legendary stallion from Ballymany Stud farm in County Kildare, Ireland, in 1983 remains unsolved. The princess mentioned that the demanded £2 million ransom was impossible to meet.
The IRA was suspected of orchestrating the crime involving six armed individuals and the ransom demand. Princess Zahra Aga Khan explained that her father, a prominent leader of the Ismaili Muslims, refused to pay the ransom due to practical and ethical concerns.
According to Princess Zahra, her father couldn’t single-handedly meet the ransom demand as Shergar, the 1981 Derby winner, was owned by a syndicate that needed unanimous agreement. The horse, uninsured against kidnapping, faced a tragic fate as the syndicate couldn’t decide on a course of action.
Shergar’s untimely demise occurred sooner than previously believed, with Princess Zahra denouncing the unprofessional and cruel manner in which he was killed. She emphasized that Shergar, known for his gentle nature, was a symbol of Irish breeding and racing, undeserving of such a fate.
Despite extensive investigations, Shergar’s remains have never been recovered, and no one has taken responsibility for the theft. The passing of the Aga Khan in 2025 marked the end of this unresolved chapter in racing history.