What happened to Shergar, when was he kidnapped and where is the Ballymany Stud?

SHERGAR was arguably the most valuable and famous racehorse in the world.

The champion racehorse won the 1981 Derby by a record of 10 lengths. But his disappearance remains a mystery.

What happened to Shergar?

Shergar was born in Kildare, Ireland in 1978.

After Shergar won the 202nd Epsom Derby and the Irish Derby in 1981, the five-year-old Irish-bred retired.

He became a breeding stallion in Ireland with an impressive fertility rate, and still attracted crowds.

But the horse was kidnapped by an armed gang in 1983.

Shergar was valued at £10million when he disappeared.

Some believe the IRA snatched the horse, as they were looking for new sources of funding around the same time.

When was he kidnapped?

Shergar was kidnapped from the Ballymany Stud on February 9 1983.

At least six thugs arrived at the stud farm at around 8.30pm and held Jim Fitzgerald, head groom, at gunpoint.

They forced him to release the horse, before they also took him away with them.

But four hours later, he was released and found 40 miles away from the stud farm.

No one has ever admitted responsibility for the incident, and the remains of the horse have never been found.

In an apparent bid to receive a pay out, jailed IRA informant Seon O'Callagan claimed the horse died within 24 hours.

Where is the Ballymany Stud?

The Ballymany Stud is located in County Kildare, Ireland.

The stud farm was Ireland's main racecourse and training grounds.