(Choisir-Nuclear Force, by Encosta de Lago)
Stands 2017 at Eureka Stud for $8,800
A precocious son of the marvellous globetrotting recent Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee Choisir, Defcon has all the attributes for success at stud in Queensland. Defcon showed his natural speed and early maturity to win the Gr3 Black Opal as a 2YO, beating VRC Derby winner Prized Icon. Defcon had previously placed Gr2 Silver Slipper and the Gr3 Canonbury Stakes, so this victory highlighted much of hype around his potential.
He came back as a 3YO to win fresh up in the Gr3 HDF McNeil Stakes, and true to his class, every one of his eight starts were in group company, racing against the likes of Capitalist, Flying Artie, Global Glamour, Yankee Rose and the aforementioned Prized Icon.
Defcon’s sire Choisir put Australia on the global stage when he went to Royal Ascot. Among his 81 stakes-winners are fellow Ascot winner Starspangledbanner (now a top sire), and local Gr1 winners Sacred Choice, Japonisme, Historian and Choice Bro. There are several young sons of Choisir at stud, with Starspangledbanner leading the charge.
Bred on the same cross as Japonisme, Defcon’s dam was a tough Encosta de Lago racemare, winning six races, all at 1000m, and placing fourth in the Listed Dermody Stakes. Defcon is her only foal to race so far, and this family includes the likes of dual Gr1 winner Rom’s Stiletto, New Smyrna, Spirited One, and Rockettes.
Defcon is perfectly placed in Queensland where breeders want precocious speed. He has that in spades.
*All data courtesy Arion Pedigrees
