Aga Khan Studs director Georges Rimaud to retire at the end of the year

Georges Rimaud, long-serving director of the Aga Khan Studs in France, will retire at the end of the year. 

A press release on Tuesday read: "The entire Aga Khan Studs team extends their warmest and most sincere sentiments to Georges as he approaches his retirement. 

"His Highness the Aga Khan and Princess Zahra Aga Khan express their deepest gratitude to him for his expert management of the French studs over the past 25 years. His contribution will impact the Aga Khan Studs and thoroughbred families for generations to come."

Having worked at Haras de Bonneval for 25 years, Rimaud completed his training at the Irish National Stud in 1980, before spending time at Spendthrift Farm in the USA and then manage Hurricane Hall in Kentucky and Audley Farm in Virginia. 

He returned to France in 1991 to become manager at Haras d’Etreham, and joined the Aga Khan Studs in June 2000. Horses carrying the colours of HH the Aga Khan have since won 83 Group 1 races, under a management team led by Princess Zahra Aga Khan and supported by Georges, Pat Downes and Nemone Routh.

The French studs have undergone major advances during Georges’ tenure, including the integration of Jean-Luc Lagardere’s breeding operation, which was acquired by the Aga Khan in 2005, as well as the growth of the stallion roster, which now includes leading sires Siyouni and Zarak as well as exciting young recruits Vadeni and Erevann. All four stallions are homebreds.

Georges is also chairman of Arqana Holding, a position he will continue to hold. Constantinde Lencquesaing, chief financial officer for the Aga Khan Studs, will also remain a member of the Arqana board.

Pierre Gasnier, assistant to Rimaud for the last two years, will succeed him as director of the studs in Normandy from January and will be the point of contact regarding the stallions and the studs in France. Lencquesaing will be in charge of the stallion syndicates. 

Inquiries about horses in training in France should be directed to Nemone Routh, director and racing manager, who is also the main contact for the press, while Pat Downes, director of the Aga Khan Studs in Ireland, remains the point of contact for inquiries about Sea The Stars, as well as the studs and horses in training in Ireland.

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