His Highness The Aga Khan's brilliant G1 Irish Derby and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes hero Alamshar died due to old age on August 20, JBBA Stallions announced on X Friday morning. The pensioned son of Key Of Luck was 26.A homebred for the late Aga Khan, Alamshar was the fifth foal out of Alaiyda (Shahrastani). Unbeaten in two starts for John Oxx as a juvenile, including the G3 Beresford Stakes, he opened his sophomore year with a second in the G3 Ballysax Stakes, before putting his stamp on the G2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes later that spring.Third in the 2003 edition of the G1 Derby, Alamshar delivered arguably the performance for which he is best known: defeating fellow Aga Khan runner Dalakhani in the Irish Derby, while wearing his owner's original green-and-brown hooped silks. He doubled up in the King George later that summer, and after two more starts, retired with a mark of 9-5-1-1 and $2,046,874 in earnings.Retired to Japan for stallion duty, he stood at the JBBA's Shizunai Stallion from 2004 until he was pensioned at the end of the 2017 season. Although he only left 128 foals, Alamshar is the damsire of stakes winners Snapraeterea (Buratino) and Rhein Carina (Pyro). The former was placed twice in group races in Ireland.Added The Aga Khan Studs in a statement on X, “Remembering Alamshar, the brilliant Irish Derby and King George winner who has passed away at the age of 26. Thank you to our friends, JBBA Stallions, for caring for him so well.”He was a half-brother to Australian stakes winner Akzar (Selkirk), who placed thrice at group level.The post Old Age Claims Classic-Winning King George Hero Alamshar At 26 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.