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.

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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.

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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
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
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