Picture: H.H. Aga Khan and jockey Christophe Soumillon.
An indelible mark left on European racing.
At The Races
The Aga Khan was one of a golden age of owner-breeders for European racing.
Along with the likes of Prince Khalid Abdullah and the Maktoum family, the Aga Khan’s famous green and red silks were sported by his homebred runners to incredible success after he reinvigorated his family’s already rich racing traditions in the 1970s.
Born December 13, 1936, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV was the son of Prince Aly Khan and his first wife Princess Tajuddawlah Aga Khan, formerly Joan Yarde-Buller.
The Aga Khan spent his early years in Kenya, before attending the world-renowned Institut Le Rosey boarding school in Switzerland and moving on to Harvard, where he was studying when he became the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims on the death of his grandfather in 1957, at the age of just 20.
His family had already enjoyed huge racing success, with his grandfather owning no less than five Derby winners in Blenheim (1930), Bahram (1935), Mahmoud (1936), My Love (1948) and Tulyar (1952), while the influence of his great mare Mumtaz Mahal is still prevalent in the Aga Khan’s bloodstock today.
The Aga Khan inherited those racing interests from his father following his death in a car accident in May, 1960, with star filly and dual Classic winner Petite Etoile among those passed to his ownership.
It was in the 1970s that the Aga Khan really reignited the equine connection, building a new stud in Normandy, the Haras de Bonneval, in 1973 before opening the Aiglemont complex in Chantilly five years later.
The estate encompasses a 100-box training centre and the famous Les Aigles gallops, as well as a chateau where the Aga Khan resided and an office from where his worldwide business interests, which included an airline, hotels and charity work, were conducted.
The Aga Khan’s bloodstock empire was built on homebreds, although he infused new blood along the way by acquiring the late Francois Dupre’s stock in 1977, and that of the late Marcel Boussac in 1978 and Jean-Luc Lagardere in 2005, reaping rich rewards with stallion Linamix among the last-named batch of purchases.
The addition of the new runners in the late 1970s precipitated a return to racing in England for the Aga Khan, who had campaigned his runners in France to that point, with Sir Michael Stoute and Fulke Johnston Houghton being handed some of his bluebloods.
The 1979 draft to Stoute contained arguably the most famous horse ever to sport the green and red silks in the shape of ill-fated Derby winner Shergar, a sensational Epsom victor by 10 lengths in 1981 and the first of five such winners.
Of course we all know how Shergar’s tale unfolded, retired to the Aga Khan’s Gilltown Stud in Ireland at the end of a hugely successful three-year-old career, father to one crop of foals before his kidnap in 1983 by what is widely believed to have been the IRA, with his remains still undiscovered to this day.
There was further Epsom glory for Stoute and the Aga Khan in 1986, as Shahrastani held the seemingly irresistible charge of Dancing Brave.
But the Aga Khan’s love affair with British racing came to a crashing halt when his filly, Aliysa, was disqualified from the 1989 Oaks after testing positive for camphor, a prohibited substance.
Following a long battle with the Jockey Club, the Aga Khan – whose daughter Princess Zahra Aga Khan is also a successful owner – withdrew all his horses from Britain in response to what he felt were failings in the British testing system, with Stoute and Luca Cumani losing a good chunk of their strings as a result of the decision.
He finally ended his self-imposed boycott of British racing at Royal Ascot in 1995, before again sending horses to be trained by Cumani and Stoute, with future champion Kalanisi and Derby second Daliapour seemingly cementing a renewed relationship with Cumani, who had trained his 1988 Derby victor Kahyasi.
However, their association came to another abrupt halt in 2000 when two of the owner’s horses trained by Cumani returned positive tests, prompting him to remove 30 horses from the Newmarket-based Italian.
He continued to have horses with Stoute, but the Aga Khan’s interests were once again concentrated in Ireland and France.
In 2008, his brilliant unbeaten champion filly Zarkava, trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre, won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and was named Cartier Horse of the Year. Five years earlier the Royer-Dupre-trained Dalakhani was equally stunning in the Arc.
In 2013 it was announced John Oxx would not receive a new batch of Aga Khan yearlings – bringing to an end a glorious run of success that included Sinndar’s never to be forgotten Derby, Irish Derby and Arc treble in 2000.
The Aga Khan’s Irish stars were instead concentrated with Dermot Weld, who provided a fifth Derby win in 2016 with Harzand, who memorably triumphed under the late Pat Smullen, despite picking up a foot injury on the day of the race. Harzand went on to give the Aga Khan a fifth Derby and Irish Derby double when scoring at the Curragh later the same month.
It was Weld who also produced the Aga Khan’s last British Classic winner in the 2024 Oaks victor Ezeliya.
The Aga Khan’s sporting interests extended further than racing and he was a highly accomplished skier who represented Iran at the 1964 Winter Olympics, taking on the slalom, giant slalom and downhill events.
He was also a long-term friend of Queen Elizabeth II, gifting her the filly Estimate, who went on to a famous success in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot – a meeting where the pair would often watch together.
A notable supporter of Irish racing, the Aga Khan was one of the driving forces behind the redevelopment of the Curragh, with the plan eventually coming to fruition in 2019 when he joined the then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to officially unveil the new Aga Khan Stand.
The Aga Khan is survived by three sons and his daughter.
Andi’s Girl Can Make Amends
The Turffontein Inside track hosts an eight race meeting on Thursday and the exotics should pay rewarding dividends on a day of competitive racing.
The highest rated race on the card is the 7th, a MR 93 Handicap for fillies and mares, which has had two scratchings leaving eight runners going to post. Andi’s girl was unlucky to not win the Listed Summer Pudding Handicap last time as the jockey left her run just a little too late, and she failed by 0.75 lengths to catch them. She will be just as comfortable over this trip, and has a fair draw with Muzi Yeni now in the irons. Ceuta has been in fine form from 1400m up to 1800m, except for last time when not striding out and finishing fatigued. She has a chance from draw three if able to bounce back. Hierkommiebokkie is a dangerous front running sort who is ideally course and distance suited here. Her last run can be ignored as the saddle slipped, and she has an ideal pole position draw for her style of racing. Cape Lights can never be ignored, and has Gavin Lerena aboard over a suitable trip, albeit from a wide draw. Blue Horizon is a capable sort, as she proved last time, but she has been given a four point raise for that victory and has a wide draw to overcome.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1800m, Destiny of Fire is on the up, and Gavin Lerena stays aboard after a good win last time over 1600m. She should enjoy the step up and trip here, but does have a seven point raise to overcome. Gerbera won her maiden at the third time of asking, but had faced some useful sorts before that without being disgraced. She starts handicapping off a reasonable 85 merit rating, but does have a tricky draw. She should enjoy the step up to 1800m on pedigree. VisionOfPeace will enjoy the step up in trip and has a pole position draw, so should be a runner here. Tuscan Star has 4.5 lengths to make up on Vision of Peace, but is likely better than her last start, so can’t be totally ignored. Streisand has been disappointing since cheekpieces were fitted, but they remain on.
In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 3000m To The Rescue always gave the impression he would improve with age and he now looks to be coming into his own, so can follow up on his last win over 2400m. Royal Mazarin has a good draw, and has proven ability over stamina trips, so should not mind going over 3000m for the first time. Only a Poet has done well up to 2400m, so should get this trip, and as a consistent sort he should be in this shake up. Damova is a consistent stayer too and can put her last run behind her as she now jumps from pole position. Afraad and Arlington Action are not out of it on form.
In the fifth race over 1600m, King of Numbers has been knocking on the door. He ran a fine race last time, despite having been given a 6 point raise, and with Lerena now up from pole position, he looks the one to beat. Ombudsman has not been disgraced lately, as he has faced some decent sorts, and he now has an easier task, so should be in the shake up, but he does have to overcome a tricky draw of 7. Pressonregardless is consistent and has a good draw over an ideal trip. MK’s Dreams is capable and has a fair draw over a suitable trip with Muzi Yeni up. He looks to be off a reasonable merit rating at present. Lava Fire ran a cracker last time over 1450m, and should stay this trip with a 4kg claimer up, but a wide draw makes it difficult.
In the sixth race over 1450m, Fast Duty is distance suited and has a fair draw and with Lerena up he should go close. Great Notion looks to be improving and won her maiden easily over 1400m. She is distance suited, and has a fine draw off a reasonable looking 78 merit rating. Written In Stone is an evergreen sort, and very consistent, and Jason Gates extracted a rare win out of him last time. He stays aboard the nine-year-old and from a good draw he has a chance even off a five point higher mark as he is a horse who always rises to the occasion and seldom misses a cheque. Legendary is on the up, and starts handicapping off a reasonable mark after a good maiden win over this distance. Kottinos ran a good third last time, beating Fast Duty by a head, but he is now 1kg worse off, although he does have a plum draw so might be right there again.
In the last race over 1450m, Accept Cookies has shown plenty of ability, and Lerena is now up over an ideal trip from a good draw. Boom Boom finished well to win her penultimate start with Zackey up after he had brought her wide away from other horses. Zackey is now back on and might know how to get the best out of this filly. Perini Palace is another one who could be right there if producing her best, but she has a wide draw to overcome.
In the first race over 1000m Pacific looks to have been well placed as he is knocking on the door and this is not an inspiring field. He jumps from draw five out of eight with Yeni up and can beat Dancing Dora, who has Zackey up. Oriental Bouquet looked to be going places early in her career and she could perhaps start earning again having dropped from a 99 merit rating down to 58.
In the second race over 1000m Longsword is capable of a strong finish and with Lerena up can overcome a three point raise. Dontshootthebarman beat a good field last time so could still be competitive carrying 64kg. Tchaikovsky is always capable of popping up and can’t be ignored. Heirloom is another who is capable of popping up can be involved. Virginia Beach is quick and from pole position with a 4kg claimer up could be dangerous.
Luke Ferraris Continues Hot Mid-season Form
Luke Ferraris coaxes the best out of Mr Ascendency.
By Leo Schlink (HKJC)
Fresh from Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) success last week, Luke Ferraris continued a barnstorming season with victory on Mr Ascendency in the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Tsun Yip Handicap (1650m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (5 February).
Triumphant after My Wish’s brilliant win in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile for Mark Newnham, Ferraris combined with Ricky Yiu to land the midweek feature aboard Mr Ascendency with a perfectly-timed ride.
Sitting second last on the rails throughout, Ferraris angled Mr Ascendency (122lb) into the clear approaching the 300m before taking a narrow gap between leader and eventual runner-up Telecom Fighters (119lb) and Helene Feeling (133lb), who finished third, to win comfortably.
Built on similar lines to My Wish, Mr Ascendency concedes weight and stature to his rivals, but compensates with determination.
“He (Mr Ascendency) is a lovely horse, this little fellow. He’s got plenty of heart. He’s another one who lacks size, but makes up for it in heart,” said Ferraris, who celebrated post-race with his father and former Hong Kong-based trainer, David Ferraris.
“I had a dream run throughout and the splits came when I needed them to and he hit them really hard. He’s a game little horse. Credit to Ricky and his team, he’s backed up over a short period and he’s never felt better and he’s won a good race.”
Reflecting on his Hong Kong Classic Mile success and a Chinese New Year Raceday treble, Ferraris said: “It’s back to business now and it’s good to get one on the board.”
Ferraris, 23, is fourth in the 2024/25 jockeys’ championship with 25 wins behind Zac Purton (82), Hugh Bowman (38) and Vincent Ho (27) as the he bears down on his previous best seasonal haul of 35 wins set in 2022/23.
Mr Ascendency finished second to stablemate Green N White in the Class 2 Chinese New Year Cup Handicap (1400m) on Friday (31 January) and validated Yiu’s decision to back him up with a gritty performance.
“He ran a good second last Friday and pulled up really well. I couldn’t fault him. I kept monitoring him every morning because it’s only five days between runs,” Yiu said. “Up to this morning, I knew he would perform again. He’s nearly up to his peak.
“The English horses have long-lasting racing careers. They’ve got good spirit. Luke Ferraris is riding with a lot of confidence these days. He’s a good jockey.”
Purton and Matthew Poon slotted doubles with the latter notching his 100th Happy Valley winner when Yiu-trained Hayday triumphed in the first section of the Class 4 Wai Yip Handicap (1200m).
“It’s nice to win on this horse,” Poon said. “I won on this horse twice last season and the owner, Paul (Lau), and Ricky have been very supportive of me. It’s nice to win for them.”
David Eustace’s Fortune Whiskey delivered Poon’s 23rd winner of the season with victory in the Class 4 The Volunteers’ Challenge Cup Handicap (1200m) before a masterful Purton ride was pivotal to David Hall’s Northern Beast (134lb) win in the Class 4 Hoi Yuen Handicap (1800m).
Purton completed a brace with a clever front-running ride on David Hayes-trained Soleil Fighter in the Class 3 Yue Man Handicap (1650m).
Douglas Whyte celebrated a double, scoring with Glory B and Red Elegance. Glory B provided Whyte and Lyle Hewitson with their third win of the season in tandem when successful in the third section of the Class 4 Wai Yip Handicap (1200m) before Hugh Bowman drove Red Elegance to victory in the Class 3 Mut Wah Handicap (1000m).
Jamie Richards made it two wins in as many meetings when Gallant Valour prevailed in the Class 3 Shui Wo Handicap (1200m) under Brenton Avdulla. In the closest finish of the meeting, Gallant Valour triumphed by a head with a short head to third place-getter Happy Fat Cat.
Confringo scored in the Class 5 Hung To Handicap (1650m) to give Cody Mo his 23rd victory for the campaign. Ridden for the first time by Harry Bentley, the Trapeze Artist gelding lunged late to win by a short head after seven unplaced previous attempts.
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (9 February) with TVB Raceday.
Today’s Question
Which great horse is said to have been the first to have been made famous by television and in his 22 starts his only defeat was in the Kentucky Derby. He went on to become a major sire and an influential broodmare sire.
The subject is pictured above. (wikipedia)
FIELDS, Wednesday, 5 February
Hollywoodbets Kenilworth
Today’s Question Answer
Today’s Question Answer
Native Dancer (March 27, 1950 – November 16, 1967), nicknamed the Gray Ghost, was one of the most celebrated and accomplished Thoroughbred racehorses in American history and was the first horse made famous through the medium of television. He was a champion in each of his three years of racing, and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1963. In the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century, he was ranked seventh.
