Outstanding sprinter Espiona, winner of the Coolmore Classic among seven victories in a racing career that netted more than $3 million, will be put on the market.
An electrifying sprinter on her day, Espiona will be sold as a standalone lot during a virtual auction later this month. Given her profile, she would be expected to fetch well into seven figures.
She will be offered by Glenesk Thoroughbreds on behalf of Denise Martin and her Star Thoroughbreds’ syndication business through Magic Millions.
During a career in which she consistently raced against the best sprinting talent Australasia had to offer, Espiona reached a high point when she won the 2023 Coolmore Classic.
She produced a brand of acceleration reserved only for elite racehorses to edge out Pride Of Jenni to claim an overdue Group 1 success.
Espiona was prepared by champion trainer Chris Waller who held the daughter of Extreme Choice in the highest regard.
"She was a very tough horse," Waller said. "But her racing pattern made it difficult to get the best from her.
"Like we saw this preparation, she was often in the company of the very best Australian sprinters, and she had enough ability to beat anything."
"She was lightly raced and certainly from a pedigree and ability perspective, she is as good as you need and certainly capable of producing very good quality colts and fillies which would help their chance in Group 1 races."
Espiona was purchased as a yearling by Randwick Bloodstock and Star Thoroughbreds for $190,000 from the Torryburn Stud draft at the 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
To complement her achievements on the track, Espiona possesses a rich pedigree.
She is from a daughter of influential broodmare sire O'Reilly who in turn is from daughters of Pins and Centaine - all successful broodmare sires.
Dahooil, the dam of Espiona, is a sister to Bonny O'Reilly, three-quarter sister to Rare Insight, the dam of another Coolmore Classic winner in Steps In Time, Escadaire and half-sister to Pretty To Sea.
Espiona's second dam is a blood sister to Crepe de Chine and Glam Slam and half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Glamour Puss and Doncaster and George Ryder winner Vision And Power.
"We are honoured to have been entrusted by Denise Martin and her syndicate of owners to present Espiona to prospective buyers," Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said.
"Being able to offer her through a standalone virtual sale will give the owners, vendor, prospective buyers and interested parties the opportunity to see her sell via a streamlined process by a world-class auctioneer."
"It will provide Espiona a fitting sales process to take her to the next journey of her life," Bowditch said.
In the 2024 sales season for fillies and mares, 23 fetched more than $1 million.
Among that exclusive club was Imperatriz, sold virtually for $6.6 million to Yulong to set a southern hemisphere record for a mare at auction.
Espiona will be auctioned by Clint Donovan at 3 pm (AEST) on Wednesday, July 31.
