Espiona confirmed for The Everest 2023

She won’t be his only runner, but Chris Waller’s The Everest representative is now known with the champion trainer announcing that Espiona would fill his slot the $20 million sprint.

Waller, in conjunction with Chris Waller Racing partners Noel and Maria Greenhalgh, Ingham Racing, Magic Bloodstock and Neville and Jenny Morgan, on Tuesday morning confirmed that the Star Thoroughbreds-raced mare would take up their slot in the race.

Espiona has won six of 15 starts, including a dominant win in the Group 2 Golden Pendant Stakes at Rosehill on September 23, which confirmed to Waller that the five-year-old was worthy of a place in the race.

“Espiona has proven her credentials over the past 12 months and her dominant display over 1400m in the Gold Pendant last start provides us with the perfect platform heading into the TAB Everest this year,” Waller said.

The daughter of Extreme Choice was the 10th horse confirmed for a start in the 12-horse The Everest, quickly followed by her stablemate Shinzo, who is now also in the race.

The Golden Slipper winner will run in the slot held by his owners, Coolmore, after trialling well on Tuesday morning.

Yulong is the only slot-holder yet to announce its representative in Saturday week’s event.

Espiona announced herself with a seven-length romp at Flemington during the 2021 Melbourne Cup Carnival and while the Group 3 James Carr Stakes was her only win in her next eight starts, she has won three of her past six, including the Group 1 Coolmore Classic in March this year.

Star Thoroughbreds is thrilled that she has be considered worthy of a spot in the race, in which she will be ridden by Hugh Bowman.

“Espiona has displayed her capabilities at the elite level and is a deserved runner in this year’s TAB Everest,” Martin said.

“Being trained by Chris made the decision to align with Chris Waller Racing and apt decision and we are excited to see her at Royal Randwick on October 14.”