FIRST Defence (Unbridled’s Song) has enjoyed plenty of success as a broodmare sire, and Juddmonte has had a particular association with him. After all, they bred him, raced him, and most of his best winners also carried their colours.

After just eight seasons at Juddmonte Farm in Kentucky, it was announced in September 2016 that the Grade 1 Forego Handicap winner First Defence had been sold to continue his stallion career in Saudi Arabia at Haif Stud. At the time he had sired the 2014 champion older mare Close Hatches and seven other blacktype winners, including Group 3 Acomb Stakes winner Dundonnell, French Group 3 juvenile winner Antonoe, and multiple Grade 3 winner Irish Jasper.