Word: khanning
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...American vs. the Aga Khan...
When he assumed spiritual leadership of the 20-million-member Ismaili sect 22 years ago, the Aga Khan was asked whether he intended to maintain his grandfather's famous racing stables. "I'm not much for sport," replied the prince, then 20. "I don't know what I'll do with the horses." Quickly enough the young heir developed a passionate interest in what he described as "a game of chess with nature"-the breeding of horses -and today he reigns supreme over the French horse-racing establishment. His sport has led him into a bitter...
...Khan's antagonist is Wayne Murty, 42, a leading U.S. horse trader and bloodstock agent from Lexington, Ky., and the clash concerns the racing stable of French Textile Tycoon Marcel Boussac, who went bankrupt a year ago. Among Boussac's 200 or so Thoroughbred horses are some of the most sought-after broodmares in the business...
...made a deal to buy 56 of his horses. The price: $840,000, a bargain-basement figure for Thoroughbreds whose breeding potential alone is worth millions of dollars. Two days after his purchase Murty was approached by a French bloodstock agent, Victor Thomas, who often acts for the Aga Khan. Perhaps hoping he could strike a deal with the prince, Thomas asked the American if he would resell the horses for a commission. Murty says that when he refused, Thomas threatened to have the sale killed, he pointed out that he had friends in the French government and in France...
...state-owned National Stud. For reasons still murky, they refused to sign export licenses, claiming that they were acting under orders from the Agriculture Ministry. But ministry officials denied any knowledge of the affair, says Murty. At about this time the National Stud received a donation from the Aga Khan of three stallions, worth at least $90,000. Says Murty: "I believe the Aga Khan gave the stallions as a favor to the National Stud for stopping my horses from leaving the country." Replies the Aga Khan: "I didn't need the horses. They didn't square with...