Invincible Spirit (Ire)'s Group 1-winning 2-year-old National Defense (GB) will shuttle this year to Sun Stud in Australia. The news was first reported by ANZ and Racing Post and confirmed by TDN on Tuesday.
National Defense, a son of the unraced Angel Falls (GB) (Kingmambo) from the extended family of Australian Group 1 winners and sires Helmet (Aus) and Epaulette (Aus), was bought by Sun Bloodstock for €280,000 at Arqana's August yearling sale. Racing for that entity and trainer Criquette Head-Maarek, he won the 2016 G1 Prix Jean Luc Lagardere in his third start at two. National Defense was second to eventual Group 1 winner Al Wukair (Ire) (Dream Ahead) in the G3 Prix Djebel on Apr. 10 but was not seen again after finishing last in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. He is preparing to stand his first Northern Hemisphere season at the Irish National Stud alongside his sire.
Invincible Spirit sons have enjoyed a surge of popularity Down Under thanks to the exploits of his son I Am Invincible (Aus), who currently sits third on the sire premiership and led all sires by average with three or more sold at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale at A$478,649. Other young shuttlers to Australia by Invincible Spirit include Shalaa (Ire), Cable Bay (Ire), Territories (Ire) and Ajaya (GB).
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