The death of the Aga Khan, one of the most influential owner-breeders in international horse racing, has been announced. He was 88.
Prince Karim, Aga Khan IV, was the spiritual leader to 20 million Nizari Ismaili Muslims, a major investor in European racing, and owned a number of prestigious equine and bloodstock properties in France and Ireland. He died Feb. 4, 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. He owned four other dual Epsom Derby (G1) and Irish Derby (G1) winners in Shahrastani, Kahyasi, Sinndar and Harzand, and won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) 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 10-length triumph in the 1981 Epsom 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 (G1).
On Feb. 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 £2 million was 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.
Shergar
No arrests have ever been made in relation to the theft, and Shergar’s body has never been recovered or identified, making it one of the sport’s most famous mysteries.
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 stable 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 One Thousand Guineas (G1) and Ezeliya in the Epsom Oaks (G1), 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 British Horseracing Authority 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 10-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.”
The Aga Khan, Queen Elizabeth II and jockey Pat Smullen after Harzand’s Epsom Derby victory in 2016
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 horse racing. 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 honored 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 (G2) 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 Two Thousand Guineas (G1) 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.”
