History of the Aga Khan Studs

1904

The late
Aga Khan III

The late Aga Khan introduced to English Racing by Lord Wavertree

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The late <br/>Aga Khan III
1921

Early purchases

First yearlings purchased on behalf of the late Aga Khan including Teresina and Cos

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Early purchases
1922

Mumtaz Mahal

Mumtaz Mahal, the legendary Aga Khan foundation mare, is purchased at auction

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Mumtaz Mahal
1924

First owner's title

The Late Aga Khan wins his first English owner's championships and scores first classic victories with Diophon (2,000 Gns) and Salmon Trout (St Leger)

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First owner's title
1935

Triple Crown

Bahram becomes the only horse between the two World Wars to win the English Triple Crown

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Triple Crown
1936

Mahmoud

Mahmoud wins the Derby in the fastest handheld timing ever recorded

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Mahmoud
1941

Blenheim

Blenheim becomes Champion Sire in the USA

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Blenheim
1946

Mahmoud

Mahmoud is Champion Sire in the USA

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Mahmoud
1952

Tulyar

Tulyar is Champion racehorse of 1952 and wins the Epsom Derby, King George, Eclipse Stakes and St Leger

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Tulyar
1957

Prince Aly Khan

Prince Aly Khan takes over the bloodstock activity after the death of his father, the late Aga Khan

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Prince Aly Khan
1959

Petite Etoile

Petite Etoile is the Champion racehorse of 1959 winning the 1,000 Gns, Oaks, Sussex Stakes, Yorkshire Oaks and Champion Stakes

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Petite Etoile
1960

The Aga Khan

The Aga Khan takes over the bloodstock operation upon the death of his father, Prince Aly Khan. The Aga Khan wins the French owners' championship during his first year as an owner with 47 victories.

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The Aga Khan
1964

New partnership

François Mathet starts to train the Aga Khan horses

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New partnership
1968

Zeddaan

Zeddaan is the first Classic winner for the new partnership, taking the Poule d'Essai des Poulains on his first run of the year

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Zeddaan
1976

Blushing Groom

Blushing Groom wins four Group 1 races as a juvenile and takes the Poule d'Essai des Poulains the following year

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Blushing Groom
1977

Dupré bloodstock

The Aga Khan purchases the Dupré bloodstock

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Dupré bloodstock
1978

Boussac bloodstock

The Aga Khan purchases the Boussac bloodstock

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Boussac bloodstock
1981

Shergar

Shergar is the present Aga Khan's first Epsom Derby winner, scoring by a record 10 lengths. He also wins the Irish Derby and King George.

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Shergar
1982

Akiyda

Although an opportunity for a first English Derby for the Aga Khan IV may have slipped away with Blushing Groom, 1977 marked the start of a three-year period that would transform the Aga Khan's entire stud and stable operation.

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Akiyda
1984

Darshaan's jockey club

Darshaan wins the Prix du Jockey Club beating Sadler's Wells (2nd) and Rainbow Quest (3rd). Lashkari takes the inaugural Breeders' Cup Turf.

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Darshaan's jockey club
1986

Shahrastani

Shahrastani wins the Epsom and Irish Derbys

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Shahrastani
1987

Natroun

Natroun wins the third Prix du Jockey-Club in four years

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Natroun
1988

Kahyasi

The Aga Khan's personal response to the outrage showed true statesmanship. He refused to blame the many for the misdeeds of the few.

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Kahyasi
1993

Shemaka

Shemaka wins the Aga Khan's First Prix de Diane

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Shemaka
1996

His Highness the Aga Khan

The late Aga Khan III tasted Classic success within two years of his first European winners in 1922. He won the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket with Diophon, the St. Leger at Doncaster with Salmon Trout, and the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly with Pot Au Feu. Twelve months later he had his first Classic win at The Curragh with Zionist in the Irish Derby.

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His Highness the Aga Khan
1997

Jubilee year: Daylami emerges

The Aga Khan family celebrate 75 years of racing and breeding with four classic wins: Daylami (Poule d'Essai des Poulains), Ebadiyla (Irish Oaks & Prix Royal-Oak) and Vereva (Prix de Diane)

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Jubilee year: Daylami emerges
1999

Daryaba

Daryaba completes a hat-trick of Prix de Diane wins and the Aga Khan is voted “owner of the century” by Paris-Turf readers

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Daryaba
2000

Sinndar

Sinndar completes a unique treble winning Epsom, Irish Derbys and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe ; Kalanisi takes the Champion Stakes & Breeders' Cup Turf. The Aga Khan wins the English owner's championships.

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Sinndar
2003

Dalakhani

Dalakhani wins the Prix Lupin, Prix du Jockey Club and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and becomes Cartier "Horse Of The Year"

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Dalakhani
2004

Azamour

Azamour wins the St James’s Palace Stakes & Irish Champion Stakes

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Azamour
2005

Lagardère purchase

The entire Lagardère stock is purchased including Champion French sire, Linamix

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Lagardère purchase
2007

Darjina

Darjina completes a hat-trick of Group 1s and is the highest rated turf female in the world

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Darjina
2008

Zarkava

The unbeaten Zarkava wins the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, Prix de Diane, Prix Vermeille, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and becomes Cartier "Horse Of The Year"

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Zarkava
2009

The Arc week-end

The Aga Khan enjoys spectacular success when winning seven Group races during the Arc weekend, including five Group 1s, headed by Siyouni’s victory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère

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The Arc week-end
2012

Valyra

Azamour's daughter Valyra takes a record seventh victory in the Prix de Diane for the Aga Khan silks

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Valyra
2013

Redoute's Choice

The Aga Khan Studs welcome Australia’s Champion sire Redoute’s Choice. The record breaking-sire shuttles for the first time and stands at Haras de Bonneval for the 2013 Northern Hemisphere season.

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Redoute's Choice
2014

Classic first crop

Gilltown’s stallion Sea The Stars enjoys remarkable success with his first crop of three-year-olds, which includes Champion Taghrooda plus two further Group I winners

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Classic first crop
2016

Derby glory

Harzand wins the Epsom and Irish Derby and H.H. the Aga Khan is crowned Leading Breeder in France for the tenth time.

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Derby glory
2017

150th Group 1

Vazirabad gives the Aga Khan silks a 150th Group 1 success.

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150th Group 1
2018

Zarak

Zarak, a Group 1 winning son of the invincible Arc winner Zarkava, joins Aga Khan stallion ranks.

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Zarak
2019

The Curragh

Opening of the Aga Khan grandstand at The Curragh.

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The Curragh
2020

Tarnawa

The year 2020 belonged to Tarnawa, who posted a hat trick of Group 1 races.

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Tarnawa
2022

Vadeni success celebrates centenary

In 2022 the Aga Khan Studs celebrated 100 years of breeding and racing.

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Vadeni success celebrates centenary
2025

His Highness the Aga Khan IV - 1936 to 2025

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His Highness the Aga Khan IV - 1936 to 2025