National Defense - Sudden Passing

Media Release - Saturday Sep 17

Widden Stud regret to report the untimely passing of Victorian-based shuttle stallion National Defense.

The Group 1-winning son of Invincible Spirit was Champion 2YO in France following his victory in the Chantilly Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Gr.1) and rated second on the European 2YO Colt’s Classification during his racing career.

National Defense

From only a handful of Northern Hemisphere-bred runners, National Defense has produced from his first crop the exceptional 2YO filly TWILIGHT GLEAMING, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (Gr.2), Prix de la Vallee d’Auge (L) and Royal Ascot Queen Mary (Gr.2) runner-up.

Advertisement

His oldest Australian progeny are yet to be raced, but with eighty 2YOs in the Southern Hemisphere this season, we look forward to seeing his name live on through their performances.

Any further enquiries can be directed to Antony Thompson on 0427 470 507 or antony@widden.com.

Advertisment

More Reading...

Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 10

Here is the full list of 16 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.

Remembering Northerly – The Greatest Caulfield Cup Winner This Century

It's Caulfield Cup week, and what better moment to revisit the life and times of one of the greatest - if not the greatest - Caulfield Cup winner of the modern era.

Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week is Out of the Gate!

Celebrating 140 years of racing and thoroughbred culture, Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week presented by GROW Southern Highlands will span three weekends, from 19th November to 6th December.

Sires With Winners - Sunday November 8

Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.

Frankel Heads Juddmonte Euro Roster at £350,000

Fresh from siring outstanding young stayer Point of Law (GB) to win the $10m Group I VRC Melbourne Cup, champion sire Frankel will again top the roster at Banstead Manor Stud for Juddmonte.

Racing Industry Mourns Much Loved Izzy Neale

The thoroughbred racing industry is devastated tonight following news that apprentice jockey Izzy Neale, aged 22, has tragically died as the result of a race fall at Warren on Sunday.

Haras d'Etreham Set Fee for Hotazhell

Triple Group I winner Hotazhell will begin his stallion career at Haras d'Etreham in France at a fee of €15,000 next year before then shuttling to Widden Stud in Australia.

One to Watch – Mornington

A homebred for Seymour Bloodstock with an intriguing pedigree opened her account with a stylish win at Mornington on Tuesday.

Remembering Sunline – The Queen of the Cox Plate Before Winx

From our vantage point in 2026, we can look back at modern Cox Plate history and marvel at how quickly the years are passing.

Inglis Digital Purchase Iron Hawk to Tackle G3 TAB Mile

Harness racing trainer Barry Purdon bought Iron Hawk last year with New Zealand Cup Week in mind, and now the moment has arrived, with the stakes performer set to tackle the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) at Riccarton on Wednesday.