International Sire Elusive Quality Pensioned

Elusive Quality  , a champion sire and world-record breaker, has been retired from stud duty, Darley announced June 21. 

The 24-year-old son of Gone West was the second stallion to stand in America for Sheikh Mohammed, who campaigned him. Though Elusive Quality didn't win a grade 1, he delivered several high-level performances that included breaking a track record at Gulfstream Park and setting a world record going a mile on the grass at Belmont Park.

"Elusive Quality has had two great careers, but it's the right time for him just to relax and take it easy here at Jonabell," said Dan Pride, chief operating officer for Godolphin in America. "But given the success of his current sons at stud, along with the production from his daughters, his will certainly be a legacy that will last for quite some time."

Bred in Kentucky by John and Marie Costelloe's Silver Springs Farm, Elusive Quality broke his maiden at first asking as a 3-year-old, and three races later finished second in the 1996 King's Bishop Stakes (G2). At 4 he broke the track record at Gulfstream, where he covered seven furlongs in 1:20. In just his second start on the turf, he broke the world record for a mile on grass by taking the 1998 Poker Handicap (G3T) at Belmont in 1:31.63. He won seven other races, including the 1998 Jaipur Handicap (G3T). Elusive Quality retired from racing with 9-3-2 record from 20 starts and earnings of $413,284.

The young stallion entered stud at Gainsborough, which was then owned by Sheikh Mohammed's eldest brother, Sheikh Maktoum. Upon Sheikh Maktoum's death in 2006, Elusive Quality was relocated to Jonabell. He entered stud with a $10,000 fee in 1999, but it didn't remain at that level very long. His very first crop produced 11 black-type winners, including French group 1 winner and champion Elusive City. Elusive Quality initially topped the 2002 freshman sire list by progeny earnings, but got bumped when it was determined Elusive City raced on a banned substance and the purse money was redistributed. 

Elusive Quality's progeny continued to show up at the highest levels, however. His second crop included Eclipse champion 3-year-old colt Smarty Jones  , who won the 2004 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1), and finished second in the Belmont Stakes (G1); and Maryfield, who won the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) and was named 2007 Eclipse champion female sprinter. In 2003 his fee rose to $30,000, then went to $50,000 in 2004, and reached its peak at $100,000 in 2005-07. 

Other top Northern Hemisphere performers include Raven's Pass, the British champion miler and winner of the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1); Quality Road  , a four-time grade 1 winner and a young successful sire, whose daughter Abel Tasman captured this year's Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1); plus multiple champion Elusive Kate and fellow champion Certify.

Having shuttled to Australia from 2003-08 and to Brazil in 2009-10, Elusive Quality is now represented by 126 black-type winners and 50 grade/group winners worldwide. His progeny have collectively earned more than $115.6 million.

As a broodmare sire he is represented by 61 black-type winners, with five winning at the highest level. His 61st came June 20, when Godolphin's Sound And Silence (Exceed And Excel) captured the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot.