Extreme Choice Filly Espiona Explosive on Debut

Mark Smith - Wednesday October 13

Trial watchers have bided their time waiting for the Chris Waller-trained Espiona to make her debut, which she did in style at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Carrying the colours of Star Thoroughbreds, the 3yo daughter of Extreme Choice made a one-act affair of the Merchant Navy @ Coolmore Maiden (1200m).

It was left to her fellow Star Thoroughbreds stablemate Arranmore (Astern) to do the chasing. She could get no closer than three and a half lengths at the finish with a further one and a half lengths back to Lady Of Piaf (I Am Invincible) rounding out a Chris Waller trifecta.  

&

Advertisement
;ldq

uo;She’s an excitement machine. She’s had a beautiful grounding and very well educated with three trials,” McDonald said.  

 

“They could have taken her to the races, but put her out, then brought her back and obviously, she is going to be a goodie to play around with.

“She oozes so much class, and when I asked her to accelerate, it felt like I was on good ground, and the track is probably closer to a heavy.

“I can’t wait to see what she can do on good ground."

Espiona a $190,000 Magic Millions yearling

Espiona was a $190,000 purchase by Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the Torryburn Stud draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

From Waikato Stud’s phenomenal Escada family, Espiona is the first foal of the winning O’Reilly mare Dahooil, purchased by Waller for $340,000 from the Waikato draft at the 2015 NZB Premier Yearling Sale.

A sister to stakes winner Bonny O’Reilly, Dahooil has not had a foal since Espiona and was covered by Capitalist last spring.  

 

Advertisment

Race Result - Merchant Navy @ Coolmore Mdn 1200m

Warwick Farm Track: Soft(6) Time: 1:11.02
1
Espiona
- 3f Extreme Choice (AUS) x Dahooil (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55
2
3.5
Arranmore
- 3f Astern (AUS) x Rathlin Island (AUS) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: K Mc Evoy 55
3
5.0
Lady Piaf
- 3f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Lady Macan (AUS) (Where's That Tiger (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J R Collett 55
4
6.7
Uncaged
- 3g Bobby's Kitten (USA) x Sense And Reason (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 57
5
6.8
Armour Force
- 3g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Silverbeat (AUS) (Distant Music (USA))
Tnr: R & M Freedman Rdr: Tommy Berry 57
More Reading...
Espiona Gets Her Group 1 in Coolmore Classic
Few doubted she possessed Group 1 ability, and while Espiona took a little longer than expected, the daughter of Extreme Choice achieved the feat in Saturday’s $600,000 Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill.
Espiona Cracks $1million Winning G2 Golden Pendant
Champion trainer Chris Waller had a trio of Group I winning mares engaged in the $400,000 Group II ATC Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday with Espiona claiming the prize ahead of her stablemate Atishu.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Half-Brother to Espiona for Inglis Easter
Extreme Choice mare Espiona roared back into top form at Sandown on Saturday when charging home to win the Group III MRC Mannerism Stakes (1400m) putting the spotlight on her Inglis Easter bound half-brother by Capitalist.
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Star Mare Wins $2million Invitational
It might not carry Black Type but the $2million ATC Invitational (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday saw the cream rise to the top with Group I winning mares Espiona and Ruthless Dame fighting out the finish.