Elusive City died of a heart attack at Haras d'Etreham on Thursday at the age of 19.
Successful in the Prix Morny for his owners the Thoroughbred Corporation, the son of Elusive Quality earned a berth at Hubie de Burgh and Marc de Chambure's Huma Park Stud in County Kildare, where he stood two seasons before relocating to the Irish National Stud.
His first batch of two-year-olds created quite the impression, with Soul City successful in the Goffs Million and Elusive Wave and Nashmiah earning black type. Such results - particularly Soul City's win in the Goffs Million - meant Elusive City was crowned champion first-season sire by earnings.
Elusive Wave won the Prix Imprudence, a key Classic trial, on her seasonal reappearance at three, before landing the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at Longchamp on her next start.
Elusive City's next move in 2010 was to Haras d'Etreham, where stood his first year at a career-high fee of €20,000. He stood his tenth season at Etreham this year at a much-reduced €5,000 fee.
The sire's four other elite winners are Famous Seamus (NZ), Perfect Fit (NZ), Vespa (NZ) and Xanadu (NZ). He is also nearing a century of stakes winners - his tally stands at 97. He has sired winners in over 40 different countries.
His first season at stud was when he shuttled to Trelawney Stud in New Zealand in 2004, as part of a deal by some of the country's leading stud farms including Haunui Farm where he later stood, and he served for seven seasons in the southern hemisphere.
"It's with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Elusive City at the age of 19 from a heart attack," wrote the stud on social media. "He brought us a lot of joy and success in Europe and New Zealand and a total of five Group One winners. We thank all the breeders who've supported him over the years." -racing post