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The Aga Khan, one of racing’s most influential owner-breeders, dies aged 88
The death of the Aga Khan, one of the most influential owner-breeders in international horseracing, has been announced. He was 88.
Prince Karim, Aga Khan IV, was the spiritual leader to 20 million Nizari Ismaili Muslims and a major investor in European racing and owned a number of 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.
The Aga Khan
“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. He owned four other dual Derby winners in Shahrastani, Kahyasi, Sinndar and Harzand, and won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe four times with Akiyda, Sinndar, Dalakhani and the unbeaten Zarkava.
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 Derby under Walter Swinburn. The Aga Khan’s star backed it up with victories in the Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
On February 8, 1983 the retired Shergar – who was valued at £10 million – was stolen by an armed gang from one of the Aga Khan’s studs and a ransom of £2m 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 stands, as well as Sallymount, Sheshoon and Ballyfair Studs.
In France, he supported Francis 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, first 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. Three years later 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 and Charlottesville, both trained by Alec Head, were successful.
His first Arc winner, Akiyda, came in 1982 followed by Sinndar (2000), Dalakhani (2003) and Zarkava (2008). He also bred Daylami, while his Classic successes in 2024 came with Rouhiya in the French 1,000 Guineas and Ezeliya in the Oaks, who was his last Group 1 winner, ridden by Chris Hayes.
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.
In a statement posted on X, the BHA said: “We are saddened to learn that His Highness The Aga Khan has passed away. A passionate and highly successful owner-breeder, he has left an indelible mark on our sport and the thoroughbred breed.
“Those famous green and red silks have been carried to victory on the biggest stage and by some of our most illustrious names, notably Shergar’s iconic record-breaking ten-length Derby success – the most memorable of the Aga Khan’s five victories in the Epsom Classic. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family.”
Baroness Dido Harding, senior steward of the Jockey Club, said: “His Highness the Aga Khan was a highly successful owner-breeder who made a huge contribution to horseracing. It is a tribute to him that his lasting legacy is not only a long and illustrious list of racehorses who won some of our sport’s most prestigious races over many years, but also the equine families he bred and nurtured which have made and continue to make an indelible mark on the thoroughbred as a breed.
“His iconic silks and passion for the sport will also live long in the memory, as will Shergar’s famous victory in the Derby at Epsom in 1981. We are deeply saddened to learn of his death and our thoughts and best wishes are with his family.”
Suzanne Eade, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “We are greatly saddened to learn of the passing of His Highness the Aga Khan. His Highness was an iconic figure in the global racing industry. He was recognised the world over as a champion breeder and a champion owner and he made his mark in many countries, with Ireland playing a significant role in his family’s renowned operation for over 100 years.
“On so many levels, Irish racing and breeding will forever be in his debt. We were honoured to present His Highness with Horse Racing Ireland’s contribution to the industry award last December. We hope that recognition went some way towards acknowledging his immense contribution, wonderful generosity and unwavering support of our industry for so many years.”
The Aga Khan’s last winners came in a treble at Chantilly in December with Surabad, Candelari and Cankoura, while Calandagan’s victory in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot last year was his last in Britain.
In a statement, Ascot said: “We are deeply saddened to hear that His Highness The Aga Khan has died and we send our condolences to his family. He enjoyed much success at Ascot with the great Shergar, as well as Alamshar, Azamour, Tahiyra and many others. His support of racing will be much missed.”
The Aga Khan sold 1997 French 2,000 Guineas winner Daylami to Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin. He went on to win a host of Group 1s in the royal blue silks and was also the world champion racehorse in 1999.
Godolphin 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.”
Aga Khan CV
Name HH Prince Karim Al Husseini, Aga Khan IV, KBE
Status 49th hereditary Imam of Nizari Ismaili Shia Muslims, appointed 1957
Born Genthod, Geneva, December 13, 1936
Father Prince Aly Khan (1911-1960), son of Aga Khan III
First two winners Istanbul, Charlottesville (trainer Alec Head) Longchamp, May 22, 1960
First winner in Britain Venture (trainer Alec Head) Sussex Stakes, Goodwood, July 27, 1960
Overall European champion (from 1977, official ratings) Shergar (1981)
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winners Akiyda (1982), Sinndar (2000), Dalakhani (2003), Zarkava (2008)
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winners Shergar (1981), Alamshar (2003), Azamour (2005)
Breeders’ Cup winners Lashkari (1984 Turf), Kalanisi (2000 Turf), Tarnawa (2020 Turf)
Derby winners Shergar (1981), Shahrastani (1986), Kahyasi (1988), Sinndar (2000), Harzand (2016)
Irish Derby winners Shergar (1981), Shahrastani (1986), Kahyasi (1988), Sinndar (2000), Alamshar (2003), Harzand (2016)
Prix du Jockey Club winners Charlottesville (1960), Top Ville (1979), Darshaan (1984), Mouktar (1985), Natroun (1987), Dalakhani (2003), Darsi (2006), Vadeni (2022)
Other British Classic winners Doyoun (1988 2,000 Guineas), Ezeliya (2024 Oaks)
Other Irish Classic winners Ebadiyla (1997 Irish Oaks), Shawanda (2005 Irish Oaks), Kastoria (2006 Irish St Leger), Alandi (2009 Irish St Leger), Tahiyra (2023 Irish 1,000 Guineas)
Poule d’Essai des Poulains winners Zeddaan (1968), Kalamoun (1973), Blushing Groom (1977), Nishapour (1978), Ashkalani (1996), Daylami (1997), Sendawar (1999)
Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winners Masarika (1984), Zalaiyka (1998), Zarkava (2008), Ervedya (2015), Rouhiya (2024)
Prix de Diane winners Shemaka (1993), Vereva (1997), Zainta (1998), Daryaba (1999), Zarkava (2008), Sarafina (2010), Valyra (2012)
Grand Prix de Paris winners Charlottesville (1960), Sumayr (1985), Valanour (1995), Khalkevi (2002), Montmartre (2008), Behkabad (2010), Shakeel (2017)
Coronation Cup winners Petite Etoile (1961), Daliapour (2000)
Eclipse Stakes winner Vadeni (2022)
International Stakes winner Shardari (1986)
Champion Stakes winners Vayrann (1981), Kalanisi (2000)
Irish Champion Stakes winners Timarida (1996), Azamour (2004)
Ascot Gold Cup winner Enzeli (1999)
Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winners Sheshoon (1960), Shakapour (1980 dead-heat), Akarad (1981), Sarafina (2011), Zarak (2017)
Prix Vermeille winners Sharaya (1983), Darara (1986), Daryaba (1999), Shawanda (2005), Zarkava (2008), Shareta (2012), Tarnawa (2020)
Last winner in Britain Calandagan, King Edward VII Stakes, Royal Ascot, June 21, 2024
Last winners Surabad, Candelari & Cankoura, Chantilly, December 7, 2024
European champion two-year-old Blushing Groom (1976)
Most notable 1-2 Alamshar, Dalakhani (2003 Irish Derby)
Best winners as breeder but not owner Daylami (1998 Eclipse Stakes, 1999 Coronation Cup, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Irish Champion Stakes, Breeders’ Cup Turf), Estimate (2013 Ascot Gold Cup)
Unbeaten Group 1 winner Zarkava (7 races, including 5 Group 1s)
Cartier Horses of the Year Dalakhani (2003), Zarkava (2008)
Eclipse Award winner Kalanisi (turf male 2000)
Most prolific Pattern winner Vazirabad (13 wins 2015-18)
Champion owner in France 16 times: 1960, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1996, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2021, 2022
Champion owner in Britain 1981, 2000
Champion owner in Ireland 1986
Champion breeder in France 12 times: 1982, 1987, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2022
Champion breeder in Britain 1981, 1986, 1988, 1999, 2000
Main trainers Alec Head 1960-64, Francois Mathet 1965-83, Alain de Royer-Dupre 1983-2021, Francis Graffard 2022-25
Studs Four in Kildare (Gilltown, Sallymount, Sheshoon, Ballyfair Studs), four in Normandy (Haras de Bonneval, Saint-Crespin, Ouilly, Tupot)
Headquarters Aiglemont estate, Gouvieux, Chantilly, Oise, France
Colours Green, red epaulettes (second colours: green, chocolate hoops, chocolate cap)
Died Lisbon, February 4, 2025, aged 88
Compiled by John Randall
