Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
On Wednesday at 3pm AEST, the next chapter in the life of Group 1-winning mare Espiona (Extreme Choice) will unfold. The Star Thoroughbreds-owned mare will be offered via virtual auction through Magic Millions on behalf of her ownership group and presented by Glenesk Thoroughbreds as the agent.
As the countdown begins, The Thoroughbred Report chatted with Denise Martin of Star Thoroughbreds to reflect on the daughter of Extreme Choice.
Espiona set to shine
Trained by the Champion Trainer Chris Waller, Espiona gave Martin and her owners plenty to cheer about on the racetrack. She was astutely purchased by Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) for $190,000 from the draft of Torryburn Stud at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Martin explained, “I’m feeling fine. It is going to be an exciting day for the ownership group and all of us involved with the mare. When you buy these horses as yearlings and watch them progress to racing at the elite level, you feel very proud of their achievements.
“When you buy these horses (Espiona) as yearlings and watch them progress to racing at the elite level, you feel very proud of their achievements.” - Denise Martin
“I’m thrilled that we were able to buy Espiona as a yearling for really good value at $190,000. Thereafter the trainer takes over, and Chris (Waller) and his team do a wonderful job with our horses.
“Espiona has been an outstanding performer on the racetrack, and I'm sure she'll attract a lot of interest tomorrow (Wednesday).”
Espiona as a yearling | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch is also excited about the prospect of offering Espiona to the market. “She would have been near the top of the tree back in May if she had been in the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale catalogue,” he said.
“It is thrilling to have the opportunity to sell a mare with Espiona’s resume. She was a Group 1 winner, extremely talented, and has a great pedigree. I’ve had the chance to see her myself, and physically, she’s exceptional. I believe anyone who has seen Espiona or shown interest in her since we announced the sale will be keen to participate tomorrow (Wednesday).”
“It is thrilling to have the opportunity to sell a mare with Espiona’s resume. She was a Group 1 winner, extremely talented, and has a great pedigree. I’ve had the chance to see her myself, and physically, she’s exceptional.” - Barry Bowditch
Expanding on the interest in the sale, Bowditch added, “It’s a niche market at this end of town. You don’t get hundreds of people knocking on the door given what most would expect her value to be, but the interest has been solid for a mare of her calibre.
“It remains to be seen who or how many people will bid on her, but the Magic Millions team and I are confident that we’ve done our job to engage as many potential bidders as possible. We will give her the opportunity to reach her maximum price.”
Barry Bowditch | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
One talented girl
The Espiona story began on a Wednesday in October 2021 at Warwick Farm. With James McDonald in the saddle, the young filly made her debut and gave her rivals a thumping over 1200 metres, winning by 3.46l.
In her second start, Waller swiftly sent Espiona to Melbourne to contest the Listed Desirable S. at Flemington. Those who witnessed the performance were stunned, as she secured a 6.5l victory, ensuring the name Espiona would not be forgotten.
Reflecting on Espiona’s career and that day, Martin said, “Oh, she had a personality of her own. People followed her and knew when she was racing. I guess she made a statement when she raced at Flemington on Oaks Day and won the Desirable in that fashion.
“It’s not that Espiona became quite a household name, but she certainly became a filly to watch going forward, and she vindicated that. Over the years, James McDonald, Hugh Bowman, Kerrin McEvoy, Michael Dee, and Nash Rawiller were all very upbeat about Espiona, her ability, and her capacity to achieve success.”
“Over the years, James McDonald, Hugh Bowman, Kerrin McEvoy, Michael Dee, and Nash Rawiller were all very upbeat about Espiona, her ability, and her capacity to achieve success.” - Denise Martin
Espiona returned in the autumn, placing in the G2 Light Fingers behind her stablemate Fangirl (Sebring) and finishing third in the G1 Surround S. on a Heavy 10 surface. Espiona bounced back in the G3 James HB Carr S., beating a competitive field by over 4l.
Later in her career, the daughter of Extreme Choice claimed the G3 Mannerism S. and then won the G1 Coolmore Classic, beating the brilliant multiple Group 1 winner Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai), with fellow elite-level victress Sheeza Belter (Gold Standard) finishing third.
“You’re just delighted when these horses have given people that experience on the track. You believe and certainly hope that they are going to find a wonderful home once they have retired, and I’m sure there are plenty of breeders looking for mares like Espiona to join their broodmare band.”
All quality
When asked about her favourite Espiona memory, Martin summed it up beautifully, “When you have horses of this quality, you're a bit like a parent. You can’t separate one from the other. You like them all.”
Martin added, “The Coolmore Classic was excellent because she shot through late and, looking back, she defeated Pride Of Jenni, who has become an absolute hero certainly during the autumn, if not before that.”
“The Coolmore Classic was excellent because she shot through late and, looking back, she defeated Pride Of Jenni, who has become an absolute hero certainly during the autumn, if not before that.” - Denise Martin
During her career, Espiona took on the best sprinters in the land. Facing Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) in the G1 Lightning S. at Flemington, she was beaten but far from disgraced in third. Espiona also added the G2 Golden Pendant to her resume, beating her multiple Group 1-winning stablemate Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel).
In the $2 million The Invitation, Espiona was too good for a field that included the Group 1 winners Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), Magic Time (Hellbent), Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}), and Royal Merchant (Merchant Navy).
“I particularly liked Espiona’s effort and run in the G1 Lightning S. because she ran the fastest last 800, 600, 400, and 200-metre sectionals against horses of that quality. I think she was clocked to run just over 70 km/h, which was seen to be marginally faster than Imperatriz.
Espiona took on the best sprinters in the land, facing Imperatriz (pictured) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“So, she had a phenomenal turn of foot and could produce amazing times. I was there at Flemington for this year’s Lightning, and it was remarkable. The Coolmore was excellent as well; all her wins at stakes level were memorable.”
Looking towards the future
With the curtain pulled on Espiona's racing career, her record, physique, and pedigree arguably make her one of the most valuable breeding propositions presented to the public this season.
Her sire, Extreme Choice, stands at Newgate Farm for a fee of $275,000 (inc GST) and, from small crops, is the sire of stakes winners, including barn mate Stay Inside, who won the G1 Golden Slipper.
Extreme Choice | Standing at Newgate
Espiona is from the O’Reilly (NZ) mare Dahooil (NZ), a full sister to the Listed winner Bonny O’Reilly (NZ) and from the family of the Group 1 winners Steps In Time (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), Vision And Power (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}), and Glamour Puss (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}).
Looking towards the future, Martin is hopeful that the talented Olentia (Zoustar) will bring much joy in the spring and the following autumn. Olentia, like Espiona, is a winner of the G3 James HB Carr S. and won the G2 Emancipation S. this year.
“We have another mare who is also very talented named Olentia. She’ll be back for the latter part of the spring and hopefully in the autumn. Olentia is already a Group 2 winner, and I believe she has the capacity to reach the elite level and achieve Group 1 success.
Olentia | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“She’s got a great pedigree and is a very well-related filly. She’s a high-quality individual. With our young horses, you never quite know until they are in the latter part of their 2-year-old season, but we have three or four who seem to be stepping up to the plate quite well early. So that’s a question I can answer in about 12 months.”
