Background
Batthyány was the son of Count Antal Batthyány de Németújvár and of his wife, Countess Mária Anna Festetics de Tolna.
Batthyány was the son of Count Antal Batthyány de Németújvár and of his wife, Countess Mária Anna Festetics de Tolna.
His family seat was Németújvár in western Hungary (now in Austria). The Batthyány family can trace its roots to the founding of Hungary in 896 AD by Árpád to one of seven princes called Urs. As a young man Batthyány emigrated to England where he became well known as an owner and breeder of Thoroughbred racehorses.
In 1843 he established his own stud operation and in 1859 was elected to the Jockey Club.
He hired trainer John Dawson to condition his horses at Newmarket. This letter exposed the divisions in the Magyar national movement to English supporters.
In 1838 Batthyány donated his entire library including the Rohonc Codex to the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Batthyány succeeded as the 5th Prince Batthyány-Strattmann.
Batthyány died in 1883 after suffering a heart attack while attending a luncheon at the Jockey Club.
His heirs sold off his bloodstock at the Tattersalls July Sale at Newmarket.
Batthyány was involved in the Magyar national movement as a member of the constitutional Hungarian Ministry of 1848.