British Commonwealth of Nations: No Niggard

His Highness Aga Sultan Sir Mohammed Shah, the Aga Khan III, offered £100,000 last week to Sir John Rutherford for his colt Solario —was refused.

The highest price ever actually paid for a race horse was $265,000, for which sum August Belmont parted with Tracery to Señor Unzue. Though Sir John Rutherford paid only £5,000 for Solario, he may well reap £30,000 a year by offering him at stud.

As everyone knows, the Aga Khan III claims descent from Mohammed and the earliest Persian monarchs. As such, he and his late father and grandfather have rendered invaluable service to Britain by loyally championing the British raj in India and British interests generally throughout Mohammedan countries.

The Aga Khans have been generously rewarded by Britannia—no niggard when she obtains good value for her money. The present Aga Khan III was accorded a salute of eleven guns, in recognition of his invaluable World War services, by Britain.

He travels almost incessantly; resides fitfully at Aga Hall, Bombay; possesses no kingdom or sultanate save in the hearts of Moslems; is perhaps Islam’s most potent spiritual lord.