The Betfred Derby will this year be run in memory of HH Aga Khan IV. The spiritual leader of the world's Ismaili Muslims died on February 4 at the age of 88.
From Shergar's imperious romp in 1981 to Harzand's victory in partnership with the late Pat Smullen in 2016, the Aga Khan won the Epsom Classic five times with homebreds, including Shahrastani (1986), Kahyasi (1988), and Sinndar (2000), who went on to win the Irish Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. He also won last year's Betfred Oaks with Ezeliya.
“My family and I are incredibly grateful to Epsom and The Jockey Club for running the race in honour of my father,” said Princess Zahra Aga Khan, who on Sunday received the trophy for the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches victrix Zarigana, an 11th generation homebred for the Aga Khan Studs.
“The Derby is an iconic event that he deeply loved and winning it for the first time with Shergar brought him immense pride and joy. It gave him the sense that the work his father and grandfather had accomplished with the breeding operation was being carried forward.
“He eventually matched the record of my great-grandfather when Harzand secured his fifth Derby – a wonderful achievement.”
Jim Allen, general manager of Epsom Downs Racecourse, said, “His Highness the Aga Khan's enormous contribution to racing in Europe is one which spans not only decades but generations and we wanted to pay tribute to him in the most fitting way possible.”
The 246th running of the race will be named 'The Betfred Derby (in honour of His Highness Aga Khan IV)'.
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