Multiple Group-winning 2-year-old Espionage, the stunning $1,000,000 Magic Millions yearling son of Champion sire Zoustar, will join the Lovatsville roster in 2026 at an introductory fee of $11,000 (incl. GST).
A boom early-season 2-year-old with blistering speed, Espionage won the time-honoured Group 3 Breeders' Plate over 1000m on debut—a race previously won by recent sire stars Snitzel, Sebring, Choisir, Capitalist, Pierro, and Charge Forward.
Espionage returned in the autumn to win the Group 3 ATC Kindergarten Stakes over 1100m in devastating fashion, emulating Bivouac, Forensics, Solar Charged, Belle Du Jour, and Snowland as a winner of the prestigious race.
Bred by Gerry Harvey’s Baramul Stud and purchased by lauded judge James Harron, he was entrusted to the care of renowned juvenile conditioners, the legendary sire-maker Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Their preparation and handling helped create the progressive Espionage story that unfolded throughout his 2-year-old career.
Espionage’s high-class juvenile performances, coupled with the colt's striking good looks, prompted Coolmore and their partners to swoop in on a multi-million-dollar deal to acquire the majority of the horse. An untimely injury on the cusp of his 3-year-old season put paid to Everest ambitions for connections, but it highlighted the immense regard and enormous upside they felt he possessed.
Lovatsville’s Sam White is delighted to secure the horse with Coolmore retaining an interest.
“He is a great coup for our farm and for Victoria, and to have Coolmore’s continued backing underlines his credentials in this market,” said White. “He is a beautifully coloured stallion with a fabulous Zoustar-styled head. A brilliant loose mover with a plunging girth and great shoulder. He has scope, short cannons, great length to his hocks, and has an outstanding demeanour.”
Champion trainer Gai Waterhouse enthusiastically endorsed the prospects of Espionage standing at Lovatsville.
“He was very much a precocious 2-year-old, a sensational horse with enormous speed who did everything so easily,” Waterhouse noted. “He has such a fabulous temperament, which is so important. He is as good-looking a colt as you will find, and being a fast son of Zoustar with looks like his, I know that breeders will be very impressed when they see him.”
His pedigree adds significant appeal, being by Champion sire and commercial sales ring success Zoustar, out of a quality city-winning Street Cry mare, and a grandson of Magic Millions winner Military Rose by the renowned speed influence General Nediym.
“With his looks, pedigree, performance, and price point, he is your commercial 'look and book' moneymaker,” White added.
With 50 quality mares already committed to Espionage through a strong shareholder syndicate, he has the right backing and credentials to make an immediate impact on the Australasian breeding and racing scene, profiling very similarly to the likes of I Am Invincible and Written Tycoon.
Espionage will stand at an introductory fee of $11,000 (incl. GST).
Media & Nominations Booking Enquiries:
Sam White: 0408 123 428 - sam@lovatsville.com – www.lovatsville.com
