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Shuttler dies at Widden Stud's Victorian property 

Widden Stud on Saturday announced the death of shuttler National Defense (Invincible Spirit) who previously shuttled from the Irish National Stud to the operation's Victorian property. 

A statement from the stud read: "Widden Stud regret to report the untimely passing of Victorian-based shuttle stallion National Defense.

"His oldest Australian progeny are yet to be raced, but with 80 two-year-olds in the southern hemisphere this season, we look forward to seeing his name live on through their performances."

A dual Group 1 winner and champion juvenile, National Defense made a successful start to his stud career, siring Grade 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (6f) winner Twilight Gleaming in his first northern hemisphere-bred crop. 

National Defense did not return to the Irish National Stud for the 2022 breeding season due to an injury while covering in Australia. He covered 21 mares last season and his fee this year was advertised at $7,700 (inc GST). 

We are greatly saddened to hear of the untimely passing of National Defense while on stud duties in Australia.He was an exciting young sire that produced a Breeder’s Cup Champion, Twilight Gleaming,in his first crop. We hope that his forthcoming progeny can carry his line forward pic.twitter.com/X6VUUwDIMn

— Irish National Stud (@IrishNatStud) September 17, 2022