Espiona Cracks $1million Winning G2 Golden Pendant

Tara Madgwick - Saturday September 23

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.

Espiona wins the G2 Golden Pendant - image Steve Hart

The five year-old daughter of Extreme Choice won the Group I ATC Coolmore Classic back in the autumn and charged to the line for second to Sunshine in Paris in the Group II ATC Sheraco Stakes over 1200m when resuming from a spell.

Despite her trademark sideways skitter, just when she’s thinking about letting down to the line, Espiona proved that form with a sensational late dash for Nash Rawiller to beat Atishu by more than two lengths with So You Think mare Banana Queen a good third.

 

Chris Waller was thrilled with the win and mentioned the possibility of the Everest in his comments after the race.

“The horse that beat her last start (Sunshine in Paris) has a slot, so we need to see where she fits in and we won’t say no… someone might grab her before our slot. It would be fantastic for Denise (Martin) and the owners if she did get a slot as it’s such an amazing race,” he said.

Espiona cracked $1.1million in earnings - image Steve Hart

Bred by Torryburn Stud in partnership with Frank Cook, Espiona was a $190,000 Magic Millions purchase by Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the Torryburn Stud draft.

Now a five time stakes-winner, Espiona has the overall record of six wins and three placings from 15 starts with prizemoney topping $1.1million.

From Waikato Stud’s phenomenal Escada family, Espiona is the first foal of the winning O’Reilly mare Dahooil, a sister to stakes winner Bonny O’Reilly and half-sister to stakes-winner Pretty to Sea, the family also producing Group I winners  Glamour Puss, Vision and Power and Steps in Time.

Sadly for Torryburn Stud, Dahooil died last year and her final foal is a two year-old colt by Capitalist that sold for $275,000 at Inglis Easter this yer to Julian Blaxland Bloodstock / Dream Thoroughbreds / Anthony Freedman Racing / Bluegrass Bloodstock and has been named Transactions with Anthony and Sam Freedman to train.

Espiona is a star performer for Newgate Farm’s flagship sire Extreme Choice, who stands this spring at a fee of $275,000.

 

Advertisment

Race Result - Racing & Sports Golden Pendant Gr2 1400m

Rosehill Track: Good(4) Time: 1:22.35
1
Espiona
- 5m Extreme Choice (AUS) x Dahooil (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: N Rawiller 58
2
2.5
Atishu
- 6m Savabeel (AUS) x Posy (NZ) (No Excuse Needed (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Moreira 58
Inglis June (Late) Online Sale $3,000
Seller: Price Racing (as agent)
Buyer: Greg Preston
Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale $105,000
Seller: Ohukia Lodge, Cambridge, NZ
Buyer: RJ & PM Price
3
3.8
Banana Queen
- 5m So You Think (NZ) x Tropicana Lady (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: K Mc Evoy 55
So You Think
4
4.8
Diamond Dealer
- 5m Dundeel (NZ) x Simply Brilliant (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Rachel King 54
5
5.2
More Secrets
- 6m More Than Ready (USA) x Secret Indulgence (NZ) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Tyler Schiller 54
6
5.6
Zougotcha
- 4m Zoustar (AUS) x Fast Talker (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Ryan Moore 58
7
8.0
So Dazzling
- 4m So You Think (NZ) x Dazzling Lady (NZ) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: J G Sargent Rdr: J R Collett 54
8
8.3
Sheeza Belter
- 4m Gold Standard (AUS) x Saxabelle (AUS) (Saxon (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: C Schofield 58
More Reading...
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
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.
Espiona Sells for $4.15million
Denise Martin and her Star Thoroughbreds owners of Group I winning mare Espiona got the biggest pay day of all on Wednesday afternoon when their star mare was sold through Magic Millions Online in a virtual sale for $4.15million.
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.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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.
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.