Former NZ shuttler Elnadim has been pensioned with immediate effect by Derrinstown Stud in Ireland.

Although restricted in the number of mares he could cover because of an earlier injury, he only once failed to come up with a stakes performing juvenile during his whole career in Ireland.

Elnadim (Danzig) was bred by Sheikh Hamdan out of Prix d’Astarte winner Elle Seule.  Trained by John Dunlop, he won the Diadem Stakes at three and the July Cup at four.

Beginning his stallion career at Shadwell Farm in Kentucky, he relocated to Derrinstown in 2002.  That coincided with a two-year stint at Westbury Stud in Karaka where he sired the stakes winners Culminate (G1 Otaki Maori Stakes), Accardo (G3 Darley Plate) and Elblitzem (G3 Marton Metric Mile).

The best of his Australian progeny was Pendragon, a Group 3 winner of the Gloaming Stakes and Norman Robinson Stakes who is now standing at Think Big Lodge in NSW.

Elnadim commanded a loyal following amongst breeders and, up until recently, had remained in sufficiently robust health to carry out his duties, however, age and arthrosis finally caught up with the 20 year-old.

His latest crop of two year-olds includes Come To Heel, a very smart filly who won a Cork maiden before landing the LR Curragh Stakes in August.  She then finished a close fourth in the G1 Cheveley Park stakes at Newmarket and, like her sire, should be a sprinter to be reckoned with next year.

Elnadim is also the damsire of exciting juvenile Puissant who is a last-start Redcar winner for trainer Marco Botti.

As with previous Derrinstown retirees, Elnadim will spend his remaining years being looked after at the Co. Kildare stud.