#elusive quality

Elusive Quality  

The Return! I’m back after several years of absence - and I’m back with my very own OTTB!

Meet Shannkiyr

Born in 2016, Shannkiyr was bred by the Aga Khan. He is by Elusive Quality and out of Shankardeh (by Azamour). He hails from the same direct female line as champions Zarkava, Shergar, Oh So Sharp, Mumtaz Mahal, Risen Star and many more (9c).

Trained in France, he began his racing career in 2018 and retired on the French National Day last year, 14 July 2024. He also had the distinction of being the final mount of French star jockey Gérald Mossé. Over the course of his career, he won 5 races from 24 starts.

He is now enjoying plenty of carrots. And I'm happy to be back on my blog.

Shandana (by Sea The Moon), out of Shannkiyr's half-sister Shanndara (by Mizzen Mast), is an exciting filly to watch. She kicked off her racing career with 2 victories from 3 starts in 2024.

Darley stallions Elusive Quality, Animal Kingdom, Hard Spun, Alpha, Street Sense, Desert Party, Girolamo, Midshipman and Discreet Cat.

He is a disappointment at stud, not a failure. Cigar was a real failure. Also, Smarty’s sire is still around, and still doing a pretty good job. Big Brown’s sire was pensioned and is now deceased.

You're right, he's not a failure if you're comparing him to horses that can't breed - Cigar, Assault, etc.  But if you're going off of the percentage of stakes winners (less than ten percent of foals winning stakes races makes the stud a failure), then unless I'm wrong about how many stakes winners Smarty has, then he's failed as a stallion.  Given the hype about him, he's also a disappointment.  And at Three Chimneys, he had the best opportunity.

My Adonis 

Foaled 2009