LAST year's leading first-season sire by progeny earnings,
Elusive City, is to leave the Irish National Stud to stand at the Haras d'Etreham in Normandy in 2010
The acquisition of the nine-year-old son of Elusive Quality is a shot in the arm for the French stallion ranks, which have been dealt several blows over the last year with the deaths of Anabaa and Marchand De Sable, the sale of Vision D'Etat's sire Chichicastenango to Japan, and new recruit Montmartre failing to cover any mares due to a lack of libido.
Elusive City scored his greatest victory in France, when storming toan impressive victory in the Prix Morny, with subsequent St James's Palace Stakes hero Zafeen filling the runner-up position.
Last year's Goffs Million winner and Irish 2,000 Guineas third Soul City, Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Elusive Wave and dual Listed scorer Nashmiah have flown the flag for Elusive City, who was initially retired to Huma Park Stud, where he spent two seasons before moving to the Irish National Stud.
On the back of the success of his first crop, Elusive City's fee was increased from €8,000 to €12,000 this year. His fee for 2010 is to be confirmed later in the year.
He will continue to shuttle to Trelawney Stud in New Zealand, where he has sired the southern hemisphere Listed scorers Lamington Vegas and Metropolitan.
Hubie de Burgh, spokesman for Elusive City's ownership syndicate, said: "Three-quarters of the Elusive City northern hemisphere shares are owned by French breeders and these shareholders have decided to stand him in France, where their breeding operations are based and where a large amount of Elusive City's success has been achieved.
"This decision is obviously a big disappointment to theIrish National Stud, who have done an excellent job managing him since he left Huma Park Stud.
"All the shareholders thank the Irish National Stud and appreciate all the good work they have done."