The Aga Khan dies aged 88
The Aga Khan dies aged 88
The death of the Aga Khan, one of the most influential owner-breeders in international horseracing, was announced on Wednesday at the age of 88.
Prince Karim, Aga Khan IV, was the spiritual leader to 20 million Nizari Ismaili Muslims and a major investor in European racing, with a number of highly prestigious equine and bloodstock properties in France and Ireland. He died on Tuesday, peacefully in Lisbon surrounded by his family.
In a statement, the Aga Khan Studs said: “It is with profound sadness that the Aga Khan Studs shares news of the passing of His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV at the age of 88.
“His Highness the Aga Khan was aged 23 in 1960 when he assumed leadership of the racing and breeding operation established by his grandfather in 1921, continuing a great family tradition of horsemanship. Thanks to his vision, direction and dedication, the Aga Khan Studs has grown to become one of the most prolific owner-breeders of racehorses in Europe.
“He has left an indelible mark on the global equestrian community, with a legacy of excellence that will continue to inspire generations to come.”
The Aga Khan owned some of the sport’s true greats, most notably the legendary Shergar (Great Nephew). Alongside Shergar, he owned four other dual Derby winners in Shahrastani (Nijinsky), Kahyasi (Ile De Bourbon), Sinndar (Grand Lodge) and Harzand (Sea The Stars), and won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr 1, 2400m) four times with Akiyda (Labus), Sinndar, Dalakhani (Darshaan) and the unbeaten wondermare Zarkava (Zamindar).
Two Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) winners also come from long-standing Aga Khan families. Sarvana (Dubai Destination) is the dam of the 2022 winner Gold Trip (Outstrip), while the 2021 winner Verry Elleegant has her connection to The Aga Khan through her sire Zed (Zabeel) and dam Opulence (Danroad), who both descend from hugely influential broodmare Mumtaz Mahal (The Tetrarch).
Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, Shergar became one of the greatest racehorses of all time with a record-breaking ten-length triumph in the 1981 Epsom Derby (Gr 1, 1m 4f) under Walter Swinburn. The Aga Khan’s star backed it up with victories in the Irish Derby (Gr 1, 1m 4f) and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 1m 4f).
On February 8, 1983, the retired Shergar – who was then valued at £10 million – was stolen by an armed gang from one of the Aga Khan’s studs and a ransom of £2 million demanded. Communication broke off after four days when the syndicate of owners the Aga Khan put together for the stallion did not accept proof the horse was still alive.
No arrests have ever been made in relation to the theft and Shergar’s body has never been recovered or identified, making it the sport’s most famous mystery.
The Aga Khan’s main focus was in France, where he was the perennial champion breeder and owner and owned Haras de Bonneval breeding farm at Le Mesnil-Mauger, Haras d’Ouilly as well as properties in Saint-Crespin and Tupot. He was also the majority shareholder of French horse auction house Arqana. In Ireland he owned four studs in Kildare, Gilltown Stud, where Sea The Stars (Cape Cross) stands, as well as Sallymount, Sheshoon and Ballyfair Studs.
In France, he supported Francis-Henri Graffard, Mikel Delzangles, Jean-Claude Rouget and, until his retirement at the end of 2021, Alain de Royer-Dupre, while in Ireland he was a patron of Dermot Weld and Michael Halford.
Christophe Soumillon was twice the Aga Khan’s retained rider, firstly between 2002 and 2009, as well as from 2014 to 2022. Mickael Barzalona is the current number one jockey.
The Aga Khan inherited his worldly and spiritual duties at 20 when his grandfather, Aga Khan III, died in July 1957. He was just 23 when his father died in a car crash in Paris and he inherited the family’s racing empire. His first two winners came at Longchamp on May 22, 1960 when Istanbul (Persian Gulf) and Charlottesville (Prince Chevalier), both trained by Alec Head, were successful.
The Aga Khan was champion owner in France 16 times, in Britain twice and Ireland once. He was also champion breeder in France 12 times and five times in Britain. His last winners came in a treble at Chantilly in December with Surabad (Bated Breath), Candelari (Frankel) and Cankoura (Persian King), while Calandagan’s (Gleneagles) impressive triumph in the King Edward VII Stakes (Gr 2, 1m 4f) at Royal Ascot last year was his last victory in Britain.
The Aga Khan sold 1997 French 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Daylami (Doyoun) to Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin. He would go on to win a host of Group 1 contests in the royal blue silks and was also the world champion racehorse in 1999.
They said in a statement: “Godolphin is saddened to hear of the death of His Highness the Aga Khan, one of the greatest owner-breeders the racing industry has known. We send our condolences to his family.”
Arrowfield Stud’s John Messara also paid tribute to the Aga Khan, releasing a statement via X on Wednesday that read: “HH Aga Khan IV leaves a very significant legacy to the wider world as a spiritual leader and philanthropist, and in the racing world as a profoundly influential owner & breeder of superlative thoroughbred horses.
“Arrowfield was privileged to establish a breeding partnership with His Highness in Australia that enjoyed considerable success, most notably with Champion 3YO Colt and now Group 1 sire The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice-Azmiyna) – he represents everything that the Aga Khan Studs & Arrowfield aimed to achieve.
“I share the gratitude of millions for the life of a truly remarkable man and extend my sympathy to His Highness’s family as they mourn his passing.”