Sat Feb 08 10:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Aga Khan’s Death Recalls Unsolved Mystery of Shergar’s Disappearance

**Dublin, Ireland –** The recent death of the Aga Khan has reignited memories of one of horse racing’s most enduring mysteries: the 1983 kidnapping of Shergar, his champion racehorse. The world-renowned thoroughbred, winner of the 1981 Derby by a record margin, was stolen from Ballymany Stud in County Kildare, Ireland, an audacious crime that captivated global headlines.

Shergar, syndicated for a record-breaking £10 million after retirement, was abducted by an armed gang. While suspicion fell on the IRA during the height of the Troubles, the perpetrators remain unknown, and the horse was never found.

Retired jockey Fran Berry, reflecting on the anniversary of the kidnapping, spoke of the profound loss to the racing world. “He was syndicated for a world record price… one would have expected, given his ability on the track, that he may well develop into a top stallion,” Berry told BBC News NI. “Sadly, we never got to learn that due to the fact he was kidnapped.”

Berry also paid tribute to the Aga Khan’s lasting legacy in Irish racing, highlighting his significant contributions and support, culminating in the unveiling of the Aga Khan Stand at the Curragh racecourse in 2019. The Aga Khan’s influence extended beyond horse racing, encompassing showjumping, as evidenced by the Aga Khan Trophy, a key part of the Dublin Horse Show since 1926.

The unsolved disappearance of Shergar and the Aga Khan’s substantial contributions to Irish equestrian sports remain intertwined elements of his enduring legacy in Ireland.

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