The sale Espiona has delivered a windfall for a syndicate that surprised even her most ardent supporter as the Group 1 winner fetched $4.15 million in a captivating virtual auction.
Offered by Glenesk Thoroughbreds on behalf of Denise Martin's Star Thoroughbreds, Espiona was sold in a one-off Magic Millions auction that attracted online and telephone bidding.
The mare, sold as a breeding proposition, is the second-most expensive race mare publicly auctioned in 2024, behind Imperatriz.
Imperatriz made $6.6 million during the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale with Yulong the successful bidder.
And it was Zhijun Zhao, aligned with Yulong, who again came out on top after a protracted bidding war with Arrowfield, adding the daughter of top stallion Extreme Choice to a broodmare band that is already the envy of the bloodstock world.
Espiona becomes the fourth highest-priced broodmare sold at auction in Australia, behind only Imperatriz, Milanova ($5 million) and Sunlight ($4.2 million).
Martin said she was hopeful Espiona would attract a $3 million sale figure as a daughter of Extreme Choice with a brand of acceleration reserved only for the best sprinters.
“A Group 1-winning Extreme Choice mare is a rare commodity. She performed at the elite level and she was very fast,” Martin told The Straight.
“To have those attributes and the pedigree she does, I'd felt all along that she would be sought after.
“My feeling was that she could fetch $3 million. I hoped she would but $4.15 million was beyond my expectations.”
Martin, trainer Chris Waller and a majority of the ownership group gathered in Sydney to watch the auction action unfold.
“We were elated. There was a lot of cheering when she was knocked down to the buyer for $4.15 million,” she said.
Bidding for the unreserved sale opened at $1 million before quickly moving to $2 million and beyond.
“We were elated. There was a lot of cheering when she was knocked down to the buyer for $4.15 million." Denise Martin
During a career in which she consistently measured up against the best sprinting talent Australasia had to offer, Espiona raced 24 times and collected seven victories for more than $3.3 million in earnings.
Her most important victory under the guidance of Waller came in the 2023 Coolmore Classic.
In edging out Pride Of Jenni in the Classic, Espiona delivered on Martin's long-held faith after paying $190,000 for her from the Torryburn Stud draft at the 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“I said from the outset that I firmly believe she's the most naturally talented filly I've ever bought,” Martin said.
Martin revealed that during a June meeting on Espiona’s future, Waller recommended that the mare had done enough to earn retirement.
Espiona is from a daughter of influential broodmare sire O'Reilly who in turn is from daughters of Pins and Centaine - all successful broodmare sires.
Her family includes another Coolmore Classic heroine Steps In Time as well Group 1 winners Glamour Puss and Vision And Power.
