National Defense out for 2022 breeding season after covering injury in Australia

National Defense, the sire of this year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Twilight Gleaming, will not return to the Irish National Stud for the 2022 season having sustained an injury while on covering duties in Australia.

The first-crop sire found himself in the limelight thanks to the exploits of Twilight Gleaming, whose other notable efforts for Wesley Ward and Stonestreet Stables LLC include a win in the Listed Prix de la Vallee d'Auge and a second in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.

National Defense has also sired another stakes performer in Red Smile, who was fourth on her latest start in the Group 2 Prix du Calvados for Frederic Rossi and Le Haras De La Gousserie, as well as other winners in Boracay, Don Kasters and Filly of Malta.

Irish National Stud CEO Cathal Beale said: “Unfortunately National Defense sustained an injury while on covering duties in Australia. He's recuperating well but on veterinary advice and in the interest of the welfare of the horse we have decided it would be prudent not to travel him at this moment in time.

"It's an unfortunate setback with his first crop having performed with such distinction, but we look forward to welcoming him to the Irish National Stud to resume Northern Hemisphere duties in 2023."

Twilight Gleaming: Breeders' Cup winner for National DefenseCredit: Edward Whitaker

The son of Invincible Spirit was bred by Ecurie Des Monceaux and Meridian International and sold to Sun Bloodstock for €280,000 at the Arqana August Yearling Sale in 2015.

National Defense was a six-length winner on debut for Christiane Head before improving on his Prix des Chenes third when an easy winner of the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

He was also second to Al Wukair on his first start at three in the Prix Djebel before ending his career when running in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains behind Brametot.

The seven-year-old retired to the Irish National Stud for the 2018 breeding season and had been due to stand the upcoming season for an increased fee of €8,000.

National Defense is out of the unraced Kingmambo mare Angel Falls, a close relation to Listed scorer Advice and a half-sister to the Group-winning Irish 1,000 Guineas runner-up Anna Salai, the dam of this year's Derby and King George hero Adayar.

Read more

Sourcing Shishkin: the priceless chaser once bought for €28,000 (£)

Circle Of Life shows blistering speed to take Japan's key juvenile fillies' race

£385,000 sale-topping point-to-point winner on way to Gordon Elliott

Wesley Ward gets green light from judge to sell Ken Ramsey's horses

Shattered Love tops Goffs December NH Sale at €260,000