Influential breeder the Aga Khan dies at age 88

The Aga Khan, an influential horse breeder and owner and leader of Ismaili Muslims, died Tuesday at age 88 in Portugal.

The Aga Khan assumed leadership of The Aga Khan Studs in 1960 at age 23 after the death of his father. Today, the operation has stud farms in Ireland and France.

He won more than 160 Group 1 races, according to The Aga Khan Studs website, including 2022 European champion 3-year-old colt Vadeni, 2023 European champion 3-year-old f illy Tahiyra and 2024 Classic winners Rouhiya and Ezeliya.

The Aga Khan won the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Turf with Tarnawa, the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Turf with Kalanisi and the 1984 Breeders’ Cup Turf with Lashkari.

His most well-known horse might have been Shergar, which Racing Post called one of the greatest racehorses of all time. He won the 1981 Epsom Derby, the Irish Derby and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

In 1983, Shergar had been retired and was valued at 10 million pounds, or about US$18 million at the time, when he was stolen by an armed gang that sought a ransom of 2 million pounds, as Racing Post reported. Communication broke off, Shergar was never recovered, and no arrests were made in the case, according to the report.

The Aga Khan’s daughter Princess Zahra Aga Khan has been actively involved in the Aga Khan Studs since the 1990s and leads the management team that runs the operation, according to its website.

The Associated Press reported that the Aga Khan’s successor, who will be chosen from among his male progeny or other relatives, was designated in his will, which will be read in the coming days.

The AP reported that he became the spiritual leader of the world’s Ismaili Muslims, who number in the millions around the world, at age 20. He built an empire on billions of dollars in tithes, which he used to build housing, hospitals and schools in developing countries.