Jump directly to the content
KHAN DO

‘World’s most elusive billionaire’ and racing mogul’s property empire includes £200m yacht and biggest private jet

HE has been called the 'world's most elusive billionaire' and boasts a sprawling property empire that includes a £200million superyacht and the biggest private jet on the planet.

A racing mogul who owned arguably the most famous horse ever, he is a spiritual leader and made headlines for a divorce rumoured to have cost £50million.

The Aga Khan, middle right, has been called the 'world's most elusive billionaire' and can count royalty among his friends
5
The Aga Khan, middle right, has been called the 'world's most elusive billionaire' and can count royalty among his friendsCredit: Reuters
The Aga Khan's amazing £200m superyacht was beset by construction challenges
5
The Aga Khan's amazing £200m superyacht was beset by construction challengesCredit: Alamy

Estimated to be worth up to £9.5billion himself, the Aga Khan lives a life even multi-millionaires can only dream of.

That vast wealth - much of which is used for philanthropic purposes - has also allowed him to indulge in, among many other things, his love of racing.

The owner of infamous racehorse Shergar - and Saturday's Coral-Eclipse favourite Vadeni - he is one of the world's most successful racing magnates and even splashed £2.2m on the restoration of what has been labelled 'the most luxurious stables ever built'.

Based in Chantilly in northern France, the yard was originally constructed by an 18th century French prince who believed he would be reincarnated as a horse.

That, as far as we know, never happened and the property fell into a state of disrepair before the Aga Khan stepped in.


OFFERS OF THE DAY

William Hill: Bet £10 GET £30 in free bets - CLAIM HERE

Betfair - Money Back as Cash up to £20 if your first bet loses CLAIM HERE

Paddy Power: Bet £/€20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses - CLAIM HERE

Sky Bet - Bet anything and get £30 in Free Bets - CLAIM HERE

William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. New customers using Promo code H30 only, Min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. Begambleaware.org

Betfair - Max £/€20 refund on first bet. Bet must be placed in first 7 days of account opening. Only deposits made via Debit Card will be eligible for the promotion. T&Cs apply. 18+ BeGambleAware.Org

Paddy Power: Bet £/€20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses - New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £/€20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £/€10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £/€10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org

Sky Bet: NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY,FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY, 5p MINIMUM STAKE, 3 x £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS EXCLUDE VIRTUALS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+ BEGAMBLEAWARE.ORG

Now, towering over the grounds is a jaw-dropping chateau, enough room in the stables for 250 horses and a sign welcoming the public to look around.

Truth be told though, spending more than £2m on this was a mere drop in the ocean compared to the £200m the 85-year-old is said to have spent on his superyacht.

Named The Alamshar after one of his horses, the vessel was commissioned in the 1990s with the objective of being the fastest in the world.

£200M YACHT NAMED AFTER HORSE

A stunning 174ft palace on the seas, the yacht was beset by 'challenging' construction issues and wasn't actually finished until 2014.

Even then it fell short of its target of being able to travel 70 knots (80mph), maxing out at 45 knots (51.7mph).

Those issues aside, the jaw-dropping yacht, which is powered by six gas turbine engines and 112 water jets, looks incredible out at sea.

The Aga Khan's most famous horses

Shergar

Won the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and King George.

Was famously kidnapped and reportedly shot.

Sea The Stars

Won the Epsom Derby, 2000 Guineas and, among others, the Arc de Triomphe.

Zarkava

Won the Arc de Triomphe among others.

Sinndar

Won the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and Arc de Triomphe.

While in the sky his recently-purchased Bombardier Global 7500 - which claims to be the world's biggest private jet - really stands out.

According to manufacturer Bombardier, the Global 7500 has a 'luxurious interior with four true living spaces, a full-size kitchen and a dedicated crew suite'.

WORLD'S BIGGEST PRIVATE JET

It has a range of 7,700 nautical miles, top speed of 710mph, is 111ft long and 104ft wide, including wings.

With properties all over the world that can come in handy when the Aga Khan, a leader to some 15million Ismaili Muslims, wants to jet off to the island he owns in the Bahamas.

DOWNLOAD THE NEW SUN RACING APP NOW

The ultimate home for all your racing needs.

Number one for tips, betting offers and news - as well as full racecards and an interactive results and odds comparison service.

Download from the App store - HERE

Download on Android - HERE

Reportedly purchased for just over £73m in 2009, the 349-acre private retreat was once said to have had Hollywood stars Johnny Depp and Nicolas Cage as neighbours on their own nearby private islands too.

But despite the jets and yachts, it hasn't always been plain sailing.

PRIVATE BAHAMAS ISLAND

The Aga Khan made headlines in 2014 when it was reported his divorce to second wife Gabriele Thyssenn was settled for £50m.

Still, the 'world's most connected man' - as he was called in one article - can rely on a vast network of friends for company.

That has included the Queen and William and Kate, who the Aga Khan was pictured alongside in London in 2019.

The Global 7500 is the world's largest private jet
5
The Global 7500 is the world's largest private jet
The plane boasts an incredible interior that allows comfortable travel all over the world
5
The plane boasts an incredible interior that allows comfortable travel all over the world
The Aga Khan, second from left, celebrates winning the Prix de Diane in 2012
5
The Aga Khan, second from left, celebrates winning the Prix de Diane in 2012Credit: AFP

FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org


Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

  • Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
  • Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
  • Never chases their losses
  • Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
  • Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
  • Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

Read more on the Scottish Sun



Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

  • Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
  • Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
  • Never chases their losses
  • Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
  • Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
  • Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org