Michigan sire Elusive Hour to Campbell Stables

Campbell Stables in Jackson, Mich., will add one of the state’s leading sires, Elusive Hour, to its stallion roster for the 2013 breeding season.

The 13-year-old son of Elusive Quality has sired 28 winners from his first six crops of racing age, including multiple stakes winner Hour by Hour and Michigan’s champion 2-year-old male of 2008, Mr. Conclusive. Elusive Hour moves to Jerry and Lisa Campbell’s farm in southeast Michigan after previously standing at Belair Farm in Highland, Mich.

“He’s got over $1-million worth in earnings already out there,” said Lisa Campbell. “Elusive Hour comes in with a nice bloodline that mixes well with our mares. He’s got a lot of speed with his babies, early runners. I have some of those mares that produce those kind of horses.”

A winner of four of six starts during his racing career, Elusive Hour retired with earnings of $67,186. He finished second in the Little Ones Stakes at Great Lakes Downs in 2002.

His dam, multiple stakes winner Starlit Hour, by Bold Hour, is one of Michigan’s most successful broodmares in recent history. She has produced 11 winners from as many to race, including stakes winners Starlit City, Strolling Hour, Perfect Start, and Top Touch, as well as three other stakes-placers.

Elusive Hour will stand at Campbell Stables for an advertised fee of $1,000. However, for the 2013 breeding season only, the farm will waive the stud fee, with the only charge being a $250 covering fee. The same policy also will apply to the farm’s other sire, Gun Power.

“We just want to try and get the Michigan breeding program going,” Campbell said. “It’s been in such a downward spiral, so we’re just trying to get people back enthused about breeding.”