Tuesday 19 November 2024
After completing his training at the Irish National Stud in 1980, Georges spent time at Spendthrift Farm in the USA, before going on to manage Hurricane Hall in Kentucky and then Audley Farm in Virginia. He returned to France in 1991 to become manager at Haras d’Etreham, and joined the Aga Khan Studs in June 2000. Horses carrying the colours of H.H. the Aga Khan have since won 83 Group 1 races, under a management team led by Princess Zahra Aga Khan and supported by Georges, Pat Downes and Nemone Routh.
The French studs have undergone major advances during Georges’ tenure, including the integration of Jean-Luc Lagardère’s breeding operation which was acquired by H.H. the Aga Khan in 2005, and the growth of the stallion roster, which now includes leading European sires SIYOUNI and ZARAK as well as exciting young recruits VADENI and EREVANN. All four of the stallions are homebreds.
Georges is also Chairman of Arqana Holding, a position he will continue to hold. Constantin de Lencquesaing, Chief Financial Officer for the Aga Khan Studs, will also remain a member of the Arqana board.
The entire Aga Khan Studs team extends their warmest and most sincere sentiments to Georges as he approaches his retirement. His Highness the Aga Khan and Princess Zahra Aga Khan express their deepest gratitude to him for his expert management of the French studs over the past 25 years. His contribution will impact the Aga Khan Studs and thoroughbred families for generations to come.
Having been assistant to Georges Rimaud for the past two years, Pierre Gasnier will succeed him as Director of the studs in Normandy from January 2025 and will be the point of contact regarding the stallions and the studs in France. Constantin de Lencquesaing will be in charge of the stallion syndicates. Enquiries regarding horses in training in France should be directed to Nemone Routh, Director and Racing Manager, who is also the main contact for the press, while Pat Downes, Director of the Aga Khan Studs in Ireland, remains the point of contact for enquiries regarding SEA THE STARS and the studs and horses in training in Ireland.
