Zhijun Zhao secured Group 1-winning sprinter Espiona (Aus) (Extreme Choice {Aus}) for A$4.15 million (€2,490,512) at a standalone virtual sale held by Magic Millions on Wednesday. Arrowfield Stud was the underbidder.
Trained by Chris Waller for Denise Martin's Star Thoroughbreds, Espiona won seven of her 24 starts and earned over A$3.3 million in prize-money during her illustrious career, with her biggest success coming in 2023 when she defeated the multiple Group 1 heroine Pride Of Jenni (Aus) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}) by a nose to win the G1 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill.
Offered by Glenesk Thoroughbreds on behalf of her ownership group at Magic Millions, Espiona attracted strong interest from online and phone bidders before being bought by Zhao, who in May partnered with Yulong to purchase the 10-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) for a record A$6.6m (€4,039,810) at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
“We are elated,” Martin said of the sale. “We were hoping for A$3 million but to get A$4.15 million is beyond our expectations.
“We had 10 of her ownership group together in Sydney along with trainer Chris Waller to watch the sale and it was just amazing. I don't think any will be heading back to work or home soon!”
Espiona was purchased for A$190,000 by Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock Agency's Brett Howard from the Torryburn Stud draft at the 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She is out of a full-sister to the Listed-winning Bonny O'Reilly (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), while her second dam is a half-sister to the multiple top-level winners Glamour Puss (NZ) (Tale of the Cat) and Vision And Power (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}).
“She had everything that the breeders want,” Waller said of Espiona, who was also placed at the top level on multiple occasions. “She had performance, she has the pedigree and the type and that's what Star Thoroughbreds buy.
“It's a bitter sweet moment, but she won't be lost to the industry and now we can go back to Magic Millions and buy some more Espionas.”
Barry Bowditch, Magic Millions managing director, added, “We are so thrilled for Denise Martin and her ownership group. The mare was a sensation on the track and we now hope she can do likewise at stud for her new connections.”
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