Guillaume de Saint-Seine, President of France Galop, said: “It was the wish of France Galop, in consultation with the Aga Khan family, that one of the Group 1 races in the French racing calendar, the Prix d’Ispahan, should now bear the name of the late His Highness the Aga Khan IV, so the racing world will remember this remarkable figure. His impact on racing and breeding has been immense and this prestigious race will preserve his memory for years to come.”

In agreement with the European Pattern Commitee, this wording, with Prix d’Ispahan in brackets, will be maintained for three years. The race will then be named the ‘Prix Aga Khan IV’.

The Prix d’Ispahan was chosen for this tribute as it reflects the historical link between the Aga Khan dynasty and ancient Persia. The first edition of the race in 1873 was held to mark an official visit by the Shah of Persia to Paris, and the race was named in reference to the ancient Persian capital.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan said: “My family and I are very honoured by the initiative of France Galop. Renaming the Prix d’Ispahan the Prix Aga Khan IV will be a fitting and lasting tribute to his memory, as well as to his lifelong dedication to breeding and racing in France. It is all the more symbolic that this honour is associated with a race my father won six times and which therefore holds a unique place in the history of the Aga Khan breeding operation.”

Horses carrying the Aga Khan colours have won this race six times for His Highness the Aga Khan IV: Jour et Nuit III (1964), Silver Shark (1966), Zeddaan (1968), Sendawar (2000), Valixir (2005) and Sageburg (2008).

Held each spring at ParisLongchamp, the Gr.1 Prix d’Ispahan is open to horses aged four and above and is run over 1850 metres, creating a rare clash between specialists over the mile (1600m) and middle-distance horses (2000m). In 2024 it was won by Siyouni's Mqse De Sévigné, and in 2025 the winner was Sosie, a son of Sea The Stars.