First Stakes Horse for National Defense

The Group II Queen Mary Stakes (5f) for two year-old fillies at Royal Ascot overnight produced an interesting result with Quick Suzy (Profitable) defeating Twilight Gleaming (National Defense), both fillies from the first crop of Group I winning sons of Invincible Spirit.

Brought across from North America, the Wesley Ward trained Twilight Gleaming was sent out favourite following an easy debut win at Belmont last month and looked the winner until overpowered by Quick Suzy.

Twilight Gleaming is the first stakes performer for her sire National Defense, who will shuttle to Widden Stud Victoria this spring at a fee of $9,900.

The Invincible Spirit sireline has been to the fore at Royal Ascot with Group I success on day one for Palace Pier (Kingman) and Oxsted (Mayson).