Death announced of the Aga Khan at the age of 88

The Aga Khan, one of racing’s most renowned owner-breeders – whose long list of champions includes Shergar – has died at the of 88.

The Aga Khan became the spiritual leader of the world’s millions of Ismaili Muslims at the age of 20, as a Harvard undergraduate, and poured a material empire built on billions of dollars in tithes into building homes, hospitals and schools in developing countries.

His Aga Khan Foundation announced on its website that Karim Al-Hussaini, the 49th hereditary imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, died on Tuesday in Portugal surrounded by his family. It said an announcement on his successor would come later.

His huge interest in horse racing resulted in a host of all-time great horses. He won the Derby five times, with Shergar in 1981 followed by Shahrastani, Kahyasi, Sinndar and Harzand.

He also won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe four times, through Akiyda, Sinndar, Dalakhani and Zarkava.

But is is Shergar with whom he will always be associated. Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, the brilliant colt was an imperious winner of the Derby under Walter Swinburn.

After his retirement, he headed for a stallion career in Ireland, but it was there he was kidnapped from the Aga Khan’s stud, in what was generally accepted to have been the work of the IRA. His remains have never been found.