Today, February 8, marks exactly 40 years since the last sighting of the champion stallion, Shergar. One of the greatest unsolved mysteries that still puzzles the nation over four decades later.
The Irish-bred racehorse was born in Kildare in 1978 and won countless races up until his retirement in 1981 after a very successful season including winning the Irish Derby at the Curragh in June of that year winning by an impressive four lengths.
The Aga Khan, Shergar's owners, had offers to stud the winning horse in the US but instead, it was decided he would retire at the Ballymany Stud. Upon his arrival back in Kildare, he was paraded down the main street in Newbridge.
Back in February 1983, the last known sighting of the racehorse was at Ballymany stud in Kildare. It was believed that the thoroughbred horse was taken in the middle of the night by an armed gang and was held at ransom.
The hunt for Shergar created huge media interest around the globe. Pictured above is Chief Superintendent James Murphy at a press conference outside Newbridge Garda Station where he gave details of three of the suspected 'horsenappers' to the international press.
No ransom was paid and not a trace of Shergar had been seen since. To this day, no one has ever claimed responsibility for his kidnapping. One of the greatest mysteries about the world's most famous racehorse still lives on.
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