After a promising start for our Colt Partnership Class of 2023 at the first official barrier trials, it was great to see that rewarded for our owners with Espionage producing a thrilling run to take out the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate at Randwick yesterday.
Settled beautifully by jockey Blake Shinn, Espionage was forced to sit very wide from his awkward barrier, but proved up to the task, cruising into contention in the straight and powering home to take out this historic race.
He was a JHB Colt Partnership purchase from the Baramul Stud draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and is a son of Zoustar and out of In Times of War, a metropolitan-winning daughter of Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Military Rose.
Many thanks to trainers Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse, who incredibly supplied the trifecta here, and to jockey Blake Shinn, who was winning his third Breeders’ Plate for our owners, after Capitalist and Khan.
Huge congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Rob Love, Fergus Doyle, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, John & Frances Ingham, Jean-Dominique & Rianna Huyhn, Gary Diamond, Danny & Pauline Saab, Marc & Lindy de Stoop, and Gerry & Katie Page Harvey.