NOTED TURF FIGURE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21396, 20 October 1934, Page 13

NOTED TURF FIGURE

. HONOUR FOR AGA KHAN JOCKEY CLUB DECISION HONORARY MEMBERSHIP (Heceived October 19, G. 35 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 19 The Daily ?'ail states that the Jockey Club has elected the Aga Khan an honorary member. This is a rare honour, confined to five others, four of whom are foreign notabilities, including ex-King Alfonso of Spain, The Aga Khan's winnings total £60,000 so far in 1934.

Aga Sultan Mahomet Shah, known as His Highness the Aga Khan, was made a Privy Councillor on January 1 last. He is the spiritual head of the Khojah sect and the recognised leader of the Indian Mahommedans. He is well known and popular in London society and was a personal friend of the late King Edward, who bestowed upon him all the principal Indian decorations. After the outbreak of the Great War he gave unmistakable proof of his loyalty to the British nation.

In England the Aga Khan is well known as a keen supporter of racing and a wealthy patron of the stud stock sales. He is "also well known on the turf in India and Franco, but in 1925 he gave up racing in France and sold hi,s horses there* In that your his horse Zionist ran second to Manna in the Derby, and the Prince was third in the list of winning owners, with £32,974. in 1926 Zionist was second in the Lincoln Handicap. In 1930 the Aga Khan won the Derby with Blenheim. Since then he has had numerous other successes in prominent races. The Jockey Club, which was founded about 1750,' is the authority which controls all flat racing in -England. Originally its object was to promote the sport at Newmarket, where, in 1671, Charles 11. had encouraged racing by riding his own horses in several matches. To-day it has very wide powers. The membership is limited to 300, and the three stewards last year included the Earl of Hare wood. Very few individuals have been elected honorary members, last year's including two only. This was m addition to a number of prominent racing men who are ex-oflieio honorary members. In England these consist of the Steward of Ascot, who is appointed by the King, and the manager Of His Majesty's Stud. The stewards of the Irish Turf Club and those ot the corresponding body in France aio also entitled to membership. The others are the chairman of the New lork Jockcv Club, the chairman of the committees of the Australian Jockey Club and the Victorian Racing Club. Canada is represented by the president or the Ontario Jockey Club and New Zealand by the president of the Pacing Conference.