The challenge of Arab-owned Darley to the dominance of the shuttle stallion market by Coolmore and to a lesser extent Arrowfield and Widden Studs has been substantiated by the announcement that five new stallions will stand at its newly-developed Hunter Valley base near Aberdeen.

The new Darley shuttle sires are prominent young stallion Elusive Quality, Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) winner Street Cry, plus, Noverre, E. Dubai, and Tobougg. Also returning after missing the 2002 Southern Hemisphere breeding season is King's Best.

They will supplement the return of Darley's 2002 Hunter Valley-based shuttle sires Carnegie, Fantastic Light, Xaar and Lujain.

Darley also stood Bertolini, Cape Cross, Saratoga Springs, and Lion Cavern by arrangement at other stud farms in Australia and New Zealand in 2002.

The expansion of the Darley roster has been possible following last year's purchase of the former Kelvinside property of former jockey Hilton Cope.
Kelvinside, long regarded as one of the prime Thoroughbred properties in the Hunter Valley, has been re-developed by Darley as a stallion station with facilities to support numbers to rival Coolmore and Arrowfield.

The arrival of Elusive Quality is a coup for Australia as he was one of the top freshman sires in 2002. The son of Gone West has sired eight stakes winners from his sensational first crop.

The other new Darley imports are:
* Street Cry (by Machiavellian): Winner also of the Stephen Foster (gr. I);
* Noverre (by Rahy): Brilliant European miler;
* Tobougg (by Barathea): Top juvenile colt;
* E Dubai (by Mr. Prospector): Winner of the Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) in record time

Darley's Australian manager Oliver Tait believes the 2003 roster offers exceptional choice for Australian breeders. "Darley has selected an exceptional roster of horses for the 2003 season," Tait said. "We have several who are noted for their excellence at two, others who have set records,and numerous champions.

"All are extremely well-bred and we are particularly pleased to be able to introduce to Australia a proven stallion as exciting and as brilliant as Elusive Quality. He's already produced two stakes winners to Danzig line mares, which bodes well for a big future here in Australia."

Tait said he was sure the return of King's Best (by Kingmambo), a world champion miler who was prevented from returning to Australia last spring due to injury, will be another asset for Darley this year.

However Carnegie, who began his shuttle seasons in New Zealand where he sired such outstanding classic winners as Amalfi and Carnegie Express, is expected to top the Darley stallion fees this year.