Turkhan

Turkhan (1937 – after 1952) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire, who raced during World War II and was best known for winning the classic St Leger in 1940. He showed good form as a two-year-old, winning the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. In the following year he finished second in the rescheduled New Derby and won the Irish Derby before taking a substitute Yorkshire St Leger at Thirsk Racecourse in November. He was then retired to stud where he made little impact as a breeding stallion.

Background

Turkhan was a bay horse bred in the United Kingdom by his owner Aga Khan III. He was sired by the Aga Khan' stallion Bahram the winner of the Triple Crown in 1935. Bahram was not a great success as a stallion but did sire Big Game and the Coronation Cup winner Persian Gulf before being exported to the United States in 1941. Turkhan's dam Theresina won the Irish Oaks in 1930 and produced several other winners including the Gold Cup winner Ujiji. Later descendants of Theresina have included Empire Maker and Funny Cide.