Johnny Murtagh pays tribute to the Aga Khan

Bohermeen jockey rode 18 Group One winners for Prince

Five-time Irish flat racing Champion Jockey and Meath native, Johnny Murtagh, has paid tribute to the Aga Khan, Prince Karim Al-Husseini, who passed away this week, aged 88.

The Aga Khan was one of racing's most influential owners and his red and green colours are among the most recognisable silks in the industry. He won seven British Classics including five Epsom Derbys and 11 Irish Classics, including six Derbys.

The Aga Khan IV is probably best known within racing for owning the famous Shergar who was kidnapped by the Irish Republican Army in February 1983.

Speaking to the Meath Chronicle, Johnny Murtagh, who rode 18 Group ones for the Aga Khan, paid tribute to the man he will be "forever indebted" to for what he did for the Bohermeen native's racing career.

"His Highness has left behind him a huge legacy in Irish racing. He owned four stud farms, including 100-plus mares and several stallions. What he has done for the global racing breeding industry is phenomenal. I was first jockey for him for many years and you felt proud wearing his famous silks. I had great success with his horses including an Epsom Derby, two Irish Derbys and a Prix de lArc," said Murtagh.

"He loved winning, you could see it on his face when he led horses into the winner's enclosure that it meant so much to him. He put so much thought into planning the matings and matching up with suitable stallions. There is an awful lot of work in running an operation of that magnitude. He was also a good loser. None of us like losing but he always took it well. If it didn't work out, he knew you didn't go out to mess up in any way. He had a great understanding of racing and he loved his horses deeply. He was just a wonderful man and I will be forever in his debt for giving me some of the greatest days in my racing career."

The President, Michael D Higgins, expressed condolences on the passing of the Aga Khan IV, Prince Karim Al-Husseini.

"As spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims and a dedicated philanthropist, the Aga Khan made an exceptional contribution across his life to the causes of education, health and development across the world," Mr Higgins said.

"The Aga Khan will of course be particularly remembered in Ireland for his deep connection with the sports of horseracing and showjumping, including his family’s long connection to the Aga Khan Trophy which is competed for each year during the Dublin Horse Show.

"I was pleased to welcome the Aga Khan to Áras an Uachtaráin in 2018, when we had the opportunity to discuss the importance of supporting sustainable development and the strengthening of civil society to improve the quality of life of poor and marginalised communities.

"As I noted on that occasion, at a time when many affect an indifference towards suffering, the Aga Khan endeavoured to address the root causes of conflict, promoting inter-cultural dialogue, pluralism, and the advancement of the status of women. May I extend my condolences to Ismaili Muslims across the world, to the Aga Khan’s family, and to all his many friends across the world," the President concluded.