Top two-year-old Espionage to stand at Lovatsville

Multiple Group-winning juvenile Espionage will join the Lovatsville stallion roster in 2026 at an introductory fee of $11,000 (inc GST).

A son of Australia’s reigning champion sire Zoustar, the $1 million Magic Millions yearling made an early impression at two, winning the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate over 1000 metres on debut for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

He added a second stakes success in the autumn with victory in the Group 3 ATC Kindergarten Stakes over 1100 metres to add to his currency as a stallion prospect, which prompted Coolmore to buy into the James Harron Bloodstock-raced colt in a multimillion dollar deal.

Bred by Baramul Stud and purchased by Harron, Espionage was transferred to New Zealand into the Te Akau stable of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson where he raced twice before time was called on his career.

An injury ahead of his three-year-old season curtailed a potential Everest campaign.

Lovatsville’s Sam White said the farm was pleased to secure Espionage, with Coolmore retaining an interest.

“He is a great coup for our farm and for Victoria, and to have Coolmore’s continued backing underlines his credentials in this market,” White said.

“He is a beautifully coloured stallion with a fabulous Zoustar-style head. A brilliant loose mover with a plunging girth and great shoulder. He has scope, short cannons, great length to his hocks, and has an outstanding demeanour.”

Waterhouse said Espionage showed precocity and speed during his time in training.

“He was very much a precocious two-year-old, a sensational horse with enormous speed who did everything so easily,” Waterhouse said.

“He has such a fabulous temperament, which is so important. He is as good-looking a colt as you will find, and being a fast son of Zoustar with looks like his, I know that breeders will be very impressed when they see him.”

Espionage is out of a Street Cry mare and is a grandson of Magic Millions winner Military Rose.

“With his looks, pedigree, performance, and price point, he is your commercial ‘look and book’ moneymaker,” White said.

White revealed 50 mares already been committed to Espionage in his first season through a shareholder syndicate.