Racing unites to salute the Aga Khan following the death of one of the greatest owner-breeders at age of 88

Trainer Francis Graffard has led tributes to the Aga Khan and said that winners in the late owner-breeder’s colours “make people happy” through a bond that had been forged with the racing public during more than 60 years in the sport.

An outpouring of appreciation, recognition and gratitude flowed from across Ireland and France – where the Aga Khan’s influence was at its greatest – Britain, the Middle East and Australia following Tuesday’s announcement that one of racing’s totemic figures had died at the age of 88.

Graffard succeeded Alain de Royer-Dupre as the Aga Khan’s principal trainer in 2021 and sent out Rouhiya to win the Poule d’Essai des Poulains and Calandagan to land the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot for his patron last year.

Graffard said: “I found it hugely inspiring to spend time with someone of his class who did so much for racing. It has always been a huge pleasure to go racing with a horse carrying those silks and to see how well loved he was by racing professionals and public alike. 

“As the years have gone by since I began training for the prince I have really come to understand that, whether it's an ordinary 'turfiste' or a major owner, every time we win with one of his horses, it makes people happy. Those silks are loved by everyone in racing. 

“Hopefully we can continue to enjoy great success with them at the highest level and I'd like to think he would take great pleasure looking down from above.”

The Aga Khan

• The Aga Khan: a spiritual leader to millions and one of horseracing's most distinguished figures 

• Tony Morris: why the Aga Khan was the pre-eminent owner-breeder over six decades 

• From Shergar to Zarkava: six of the best horses owned by the Aga Khan 

The Aga Khan’s breeding and racing operations became a byword for excellence, with the owner campaigning some of the sport's true greats, most notably Shergar, who won the 1981 Derby by a record ten lengths.

Shahrastani, Kahyasi, Sinndar and Harzand also triumphed for the Aga in Britain’s greatest Flat race, while his colours were carried to victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe by Akiyda, Sinndar, Dalakhani and the unbeaten Zarkava.

Sinndar, Azamour and Alamshar were among the horses trained for the Aga Khan by John Oxx, who said: “A lot of trainers have reason to be grateful to him. He was always a pleasure to deal with and a very understanding owner.

“The Irish Derby with Alamshar is one I always remember with amusement because His Highness was first and second. Dalakhani was favourite and Alamshar beat him so we won with the second colours and he led him in – he had his chest stuck out and was enjoying it so much.

“He was very intelligent and his life work was all-consuming. Some people think only of racing when they think of the Aga Khan, but his work was a huge enterprise and he did a lot of good.”

The Aga Khan: prominent owner-breeder has died at the age of 88Credit: Alan Crowhurst

Harzand was the Aga’s final Derby winner and Dermot Weld, who also secured major victories with Tarnawa and Tahiyra, said the owner would be “very much missed by all of us”.

“It has been a great honour and pleasure to train for His Highness and we enjoyed many great days together,” Weld said. “He took great interest in all of his horses and played not just a huge part in my career but left an indelible mark on the sport and the breeding industry.”

Prince Karim, Aga Khan IV, was the spiritual leader to the world’s 15 million Nizari Ismaili Muslims and dedicated his working life to philanthropy with his charities running hospitals, educational and cultural projects focused mainly in Asia and Africa. He inherited the bloodstock interests of his father Prince Aly Khan following his death in a car accident in 1960 and went on to become a major investor and benefactor in European racing.

Alongside owning multiple studs in Ireland and France, the Aga Khan was a significant shareholder in the auctioneers Goffs and Arqana, and a key financier in the redevelopment of the Curragh, where the new grandstand was named in his honour in 2019.

The Aga Khan with Christophe Soumillon wearing his famous silks of emerald green with red epaulettesCredit: Edward Whitaker

A statement from the Aga Khan Studs said: "For 65 years, His Highness has been at the head of his family’s breeding and racing operation, which is today one of the most prestigious in Europe. Guided by his passion for horses and the sport of horseracing, he carefully developed and shaped his studs and bloodlines in a quest for excellence, while also playing a pivotal role in supporting the wider racing and breeding industries.

"His memory will endure at the Aga Khan Studs through the horses he has bred and the families he has nurtured. Working under the direction of His Highness has been an honour and a privilege for all staff at his stud farms in Ireland and France and at the Aiglemont training centre, who benefit from his legacy of excellence that will continue to inspire for generations to come."

Guillaume de Saint-Seine, chairman of France Galop, called the Aga Khan “a true lover of France”, and added: “Throughout his life, HH the Aga Khan played a pivotal role in the horseracing industry, whether it was his horses carrying his legendary silks to victory or as a breeder of champions.

“On behalf of all those involved in the racing industry, I would like to extend my most sincere condolences to his daughter Princess Zahra Aga Khan, with whom he shared his passion for racing, as well as to his family and friends and to all the staff members working at his yards and studs."

Tarnawa (green cap): one of the stars the Aga Khan had based in IrelandCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Olivier Delloye, chief executive of Arqana, said the owner’s “profound influence on the French racing and breeding industry will endure for generations”.

He said: “A visionary leader and dedicated breeder, his lifelong commitment to excellence has left an indelible mark on our industry. 

“The French sales, as we know them today, would never have reached their current heights without his leadership, ambition and his ability to think long-term. His legacy will continue to inspire, both within the world of racing and far beyond.”

The Aga Khan's final winners came in a treble at Chantilly in December with Surabad, Candelari and Cankoura, while Calandagan's victory at Royal Ascot was his last in Britain. He 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.

Suzanne Eade, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “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.” 

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