Gunmen Came for Shergar. Decades Later, the Kidnapping of the Prized Irish Racehorse Remains Unsolved.

Updated on: September 20, 2026 / 7:00 PM EDT / CBS News

Gunmen Came for Shergar. Decades Later, the Kidnapping of the Prized Irish Racehorse Remains Unsolved.

TL;DR

  • Shergar, a champion racehorse owned by the Aga Khan, was kidnapped in February 1983.
  • Sports commentator Derek Thompson was involved in negotiations with the suspected IRA kidnappers.
  • Ransom demands varied significantly, and the kidnappers eventually claimed the horse had died.
  • The mystery of Shergar's disappearance remains unsolved over 40 years later.
  • The IRA may have targeted Shergar for his value to fund their activities during "the Troubles."
  • Various theories about Shergar's fate persist, including being killed by his abductors due to the difficulty of managing him.