THERE is some corner of an Irish field that is forever Shergar. Or so the theory goes. The 1981 Derby winner was already a legend on the strength of his record 10-length win at Epsom, but his kidnapping by an armed gang from Ballymany Stud on February 8, 1983, made him the most famous horse since Pegasus.
Shergar had a then record stud value of £10m. A £2m ransom was predictably demanded, but little more about the disappearance is clear fact. An investigation characterised by Clouseau-style bungling discovered nothing. It was concluded the Provisional IRA was responsible. This remains the most credible theory.
IRA supergrass Sean O'Callaghan claimed Shergar was shot after he injured himself in his box. It was otherwise suggested the IRA stole Shergar on behalf of Colonel Gadaffi in exchange for weapons; that it was revenge by a disaffected rival owner. There was even a theory about the New Orleans Mafia. They sparked several books and a film.
Shergar had served 35 mares in his first season at stud, and was lined up for 55 in his second on the night that a Ford Granada towing a horsebox pulled up out of the mist at Ballygawn.
Men barged into the house of groom Jim Fitzgerald. One carried a submachine gun. The family was held at gunpoint as Shergar was driven off. So was Fitzgerald, in another vehicle. He was thrown out three hours later, just seven miles away.
He is reported to have contacted the stud manager. Shergar's vet was then called and an associate who, in turn, called the Republic's finance minister. Only eight hours after the kidnapping was the Gardai told. A private aircraft could have had him in the USA or Middle East by then.
At home, inquiries were hampered by the gang's astute planning. It was the day of Ireland's biggest horse sales. Horseboxes clogged every road and lane in the country.
Head of the investigation, Chief Superintendent Jim Murphy, resorted to clairvoyants, psychics, and diviners. He told reporters: "A clue . . . that's what we haven't got."
There was little detail for the hungry media, who promoted the trilby-wearing Murphy to celebrity status, until six photographers turned up at one press conference all wearing identical trilbies.
The SAS was trying to negotiate with the gang who believed they were dealing with the Aga Khan. At 1.15am, it was thought the police had traced a call. Later, the media were told: "The man who does the tracing goes off duty at midnight."
The horse had multiple owners. The Aga Khan had six shares, but had syndicated 28 more at £250,000 each. Four days after the kidnap, all went silent. Later, one of the syndicate, Sir Jake Astor, said: "We were going to negotiate, but we were not going to pay."
They believed that if they did, prize bloodstock worldwide would have become a target for kidnappers.
There was no insurance payout. The horse was covered against death, not theft. A judge said it was not proved that Shergar's removal was theft under criminal law.
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