Princess Zahra Aga Khan, the daughter of one of the co-owners of the stolen racehorse Shergar, has revealed that the famous stallion was killed within 48 hours of being taken. The incident, which occurred in 1983 at the Ballymany Stud farm in County Kildare, Ireland, has remained shrouded in mystery. Despite a £2 million ransom demand, the ransom was not paid due to both practical and moral reasons, according to Princess Zahra Aga Khan.
The IRA was the primary suspect in the theft, carried out by six armed men who demanded the hefty sum. Princess Zahra Aga Khan explained that her father, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims, could not pay the ransom alone as the horse was owned by a syndicate, requiring unanimous agreement.
In an interview with Telegraph Sport, Princess Zahra Aga Khan recalled her father’s dilemma, stating that the horse, Shergar, was uninsured against kidnapping due to the unlikely nature of such an event. Additionally, her father believed that paying the ransom, especially if it would harm human beings, was ethically challenging.
Revealing new information, Princess Zahra Aga Khan disclosed that Shergar was killed just two days after being taken, contrary to previous beliefs. She expressed dismay at the unprofessional and cruel manner in which the horse was treated, emphasizing Shergar’s kind nature and significance as a national symbol of Irish breeding and racing.
Despite extensive efforts, Shergar’s remains have never been recovered, and no party has officially claimed responsibility for the theft. The Aga Khan, who was instrumental in the horse racing world, passed away at the age of 88 in 2025.