Aussie Group 1 winner to be sold online ahead of 2024/25 season

Star mare Espiona is set to be sold on July 31, the final day of the 2023/24 racing season. The daughter of Extreme Choice will be sold via an online auction hosted by Magic Millions and one of its auctioneers, Clint Donovan.  
 
Espiona has long been one of the best female racers in Australian racing. She has won over $3.3 million in prize money and recently finished third in the 2024 Group 1 Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 (1200m) in May. 

Espiona retired 

Ahead of the news that Espiona will be sold, it was announced that Espiona will be retired.  
 
Trainer Chris Waller and owners, Star Thoroughbreds’ Denise Martin, took time on Wednesday about their horse.  
 
“She was a very tough horse,” Waller pointed out in a Star Thoroughbreds statement, “But her racing pattern made it difficult to get the best from her.” 
 
“Like we saw this preparation, she was often in the company of the very best Australian sprinters, and she had enough ability to beat anything,” said Waller.  
 
Illustrating Waller’s point, Star Thoroughbreds pointed out the number of star sprinters Espiona has beaten in her career.  
 
“During her illustrious career Espiona defeated 28 individual Group One winners including outstanding gallopers Pride of Jenni, Chain of Lightning, Fangirl, Bella Nipotina, Asfoora, Alcohol Free, Zougotcha, Stefi Magnetica, Private Eye and Ruthless Dame.” 
 
Martin, who managed Espiona's ownership group, said of her mare: “She (Espiona) just meant so much to our family. We gave up suburban life for farm life and we’ve had so many lows, and she’s given us so many highs. 
 
“Thanks Espiona. I’m reading his note with tears in my eyes. It’s only when you get things like that that you remember what she meant to people. 
 
“I’d say she was the most naturally talented filly I’ve bought and Brett Howard at Randwick Bloodstock helped me find her.” 

Big sale anticipated 

Espiona, a daughter of Extreme Choice, will be sold on July 31 in a standalone online auction conducted by Magic Millions. 
 
“We are delighted to offer Espiona on behalf of Denise Martin and the ownership group,” said Barry Bowditch of Magic Millions.  
 
“We’ve followed her since we sold her here as a yearling. She’s always been a classy filly who raced at the elite level with a Group 1 win plus winning a feature race like The Invitation and over $3.3million.  
 
“She’s outstandingly well credentialed to be a high class broodmare and should be sought after globally by being an exciting sire in Extreme Choice from a highly commercial Waikato family.” 
 
The auction will start at 3pm on July 31.