Wed Feb 05 16:01:06 UTC 2025: ## Aga Khan IV, Racing Legend, Dies at 88; Shadow of Shergar Kidnapping Remains
PARIS — Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the renowned owner and breeder of thoroughbred racehorses, has died at the age of 88. His six-decade legacy in the sport is marked by both unparalleled success and enduring tragedy, most notably the unsolved 1983 kidnapping of his Derby-winning stallion, Shergar.
Shergar’s stunning 10-length victory at the Epsom Derby in 1981 remains a highlight in racing history. However, his abduction from the Aga Khan’s stud farm by a gang believed to be linked to the Provisional IRA overshadowed his achievements. The subsequent investigation, hampered by farcical attempts including the use of a clairvoyant, yielded no results, and Shergar was never found. While accounts from former IRA members suggest the stallion was shot and buried after becoming panicked, the mystery persists.
The Aga Khan’s racing successes extended far beyond Shergar. He owned five Derby winners in total, including Shahrastani, Kahyasi, Sinndar, and Harzand. His achievements also included four Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe victories, notably with the unbeaten filly Zarkava. He faced controversy in 1989 when his Oaks winner Aliysa was disqualified due to a positive drug test, leading to a lengthy legal battle and a temporary withdrawal of his horses from British racing.
The Aga Khan’s passion for breeding built on a family tradition established by his father and grandfather, both also significant figures in the sport. His daughter, Princess Zahra Aga Khan, continues the family’s involvement in horse racing, carrying on the legacy with her own successful breeding operation. The Aga Khan’s death marks the end of an era in horse racing, leaving behind a complex and lasting impact on the sport.
First Piper 