Coolmore Australia has put its hopes on recent acquisition Espionage on hold until the autumn after a mishap sent the three-year-old colt for surgery.
Coolmore only recently confirmed it had purchased an interest in the Zoustar colt along with fellow investors Sir Peter Vela, B2B Thoroughbreds’ Ricky Surace and Torryburn Stud’s Brett Cornish, with a view to a potential stallion career.
The original ownership syndicate, led by bloodstock agent James Harron, retained their involvement with Espionage, who won a Breeders' Plate and a Kindergarten Stakes during his two-year-old campaign.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt was being set for a shot at The Everest, but an injury suffered on a walker has put a halt to his spring.
Espionage will require surgery on a tibial bone sequestrum which will require removal.
"He will miss what was planned to be a very exciting spring for him," Harron confirmed in a statement on X.
"The veterinary team have every confidence that he will be fully recovered in time for the autumn, where he will be targeting Australia's leading sprint races for trainers Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse."
A $1 million yearling Magic Millions purchase from Baramul Stud, Espionage is out of Street Cry mare In Times Of War, making him a grandson of Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner and multiple stakes winner Military Rose.
The extended family includes multiple Group 1 winner and former Newhaven Park stallion Zeditave.
Harron, Australia’s foremost colt syndicator, once worked for Coolmore and has an association with the global powerhouse through the dual Group 1-winning stallion King’s Legacy, whose first crop are due to hit the racetrack this season.
