The Aga Khan, leader of the minority Ismaili Moslem sect, has died at the age of 88. Fabulously rich, he has been a force in the thoroughbred breeding world for more than 65 years. A British citizen, he lived mostly in Continental Europe, mainly France, and for the last 20 years has had horses trained in France and Ireland. His most famous horse was probably Shergar, who was trained by Michael Stoute with whom he had horses until the early years of this century. He also had horses trained by Noel Murless, Luca Cumani and Fulke Johnson-Houghton, whilst his trainers in Ireland were John Oxx, Dermot Weld, Michael Halford and latterly Johnny Murtagh. Rarely a season goes by without him having a big winner: last year he won the Oaks. I'm sure he will be missed by many in Racing and through his philanthropic work many millions in the developing world. It remains to be seen who will pick up the baton of his breeding and racing empire.
Similar to Shadwell, I suspect the family will continue the legacy. On the day that Halfiord announced his retirement also.
Sad news. Within just 4 short years flat racing has lost three of its most influential breeder-owners in Khalid Abdullah, Sheikh Hamdan and now The Aga Khan. But ultimately these are racing dynasties rather than individuals and as Tigerscave says, the operation will no doubt be passed to the next generation in line with historical tradition.
Followers of the flat racing game will be sad to hear of the passing of HH Aga Khan IV, the 49th imam of the Nizari Isma’ilis. He succeeded to the title on the death of his grandfather. His real name was Prince Karim al-Husayni. I am not sure how the line of succession works for the Aga Khan title. Karim became Aga Khan IV rather than his father Aly Khan, who died in 1960. He has a brother Amyn. Karim has four children and his eldest daughter Zahra is already known in horseracing circles so there has to be a strong possibility that she will take over her father’s breeding and racing operations. Whether, as a woman, she is precluded from inheriting the Aga Khan title I do not know but as it is an Islamic religion I suspect that is the case. His eldest son Rahim may become the next Aga Khan if female ascendency is prohibited. He had two other children, Hussain and Aly. The Aga Khan’s racing and breeding operation has been one of the most dominant in Europe, predating the Godolphin and Coolmore operations; and I am sure that in some manner it will continue to be so. What we can be assured of is that the memory of those great horses that he bred and raced will live on with us and those bloodlines will continue to influence the sport.
Official website states "successor to be announced". From reading another website, apparently the successor is detailed in the will.
This is a feudal lord by any measure , can’t really understand why someone who’s received 10% levy off millions of people should be revered ?
Allegedly, Karim got the title as his grandfather disapproved of his son’s playboy lifestyle and skipped a generation to him. Ironically, it was Aly Khan that started the horse racing interest that his son developed into the successful modern day operation. It is hardly like Karim was some modest stay-at-home businessman. He was married twice, first time to a British model, and his Aga Khan Foundation gives hundreds of millions to charitable causes around the world; although some obviously despise his personal wealth.
Not really, Ismaili Muslims, an offshoot of the Shia Muslim sect. believe that hard work, and not praying 5-times a day, is the way to Heaven. This belief the Ismaili Muslims practice with vigour. The very real charity work done under the late Aga Khan IV was incredible, and he deserved to be revered. I am sure the new Aga Khan V will continue this selfless and very generous charity work. This is just a personal opinion, and you are most certainly entitled to yours. More information on the charities, etc., who benefitted can, of course, be obtained with a bit of Internet surfing. I apologise in advance for any errors I might well have made relative to the Ismaili beliefs.
It was always interesting reading the pedigrees of the Aga Khan horses. I'd first look to see how far back the families went back. For example in1922 his grandfather bought a grey yearling filly by The Tetrarch ( a champion sprinter of Frankel-type reputation) and named her Mumtaz Mahal. Today Zarak stands at the Aga Khan's stud in Normandy and his 10th dam is Mumtaz Mahal. Then I'd look at the stallions he used. Zarak's mother Zarkava (so Mumtaz Mahal is her 9th dam) is by Zamindar out of a Kayhasi mare, who is out of a Doyoun mare, who is out of a Shernazar mare, who is out of a Habitat mare, who is out of a Petition mare who happened to be called Petite Etoile. How often do you see Kayhasi in other pedigrees? The Aga Khan was never a slave to fashion, never boringly using the same 'popular' stallions again and again. Today the 160 mares he owned will be planned to go to a variety of stallions from next week. For example before Mehmas showed the ability to get Group 1 horses he'd sent mares to him. He's already sent a mare to his son Minzaal. He also believed in families. For example his grandfather's purchase of Holliday's Nearly in the '40s (which led to Doyoun and others) from Holliday's Lost Soul family was followed by his own second helping of Hazy Idea in the mid '70s from the same family. This second purchase led to Harzand and the H family of today. His template for success was brilliant and he deserved the horses he got.
Agree with all of this except that while Prince Aly' s exploits on the turf may have enthused his son, his grandfather is the key person. He had his first Derby winner in 1930 with Blenheim (a legendary sire), then followed up with 4 more including Tulyar, Bahram (who was the last winner of the Triple Crown before Nijinsky) and Mahmoud (who for a very long time held the record for the fastest Derby winner). He was Champion owner in the UK 13 times. After the War his son Aly purchased half of the racing interest of his father. His most important horse to run in his colours was probably Petite Etoile trained by Noel Murless to win the 1000G and Oaks. Murless is reported as thinking highly of Aly's judgement as regards thoroughbred matters.
