charlottesville was a bay colt bred by aga khan iii and foaled in 1957. he was sired by prince chevalier who won the prix du jockey club in 1946 and was later champion sire in france. his dam, noorani, was a daughter of the undefeated grand prix de paris winner nearco. after aga khan iii's death in 1957 he was owned by his son prince aly khan (who also died in 1960) and grandson (and successor) aga khan iv.