It is only a short History in The Invitation run at Randwick on Saturday.

Espiona won a high quality race so see what happens in the fourth edition in the 2025 The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.

2025 THE INVITATION - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Invitation is a Group 2 race run under Set Weights & Penalties conditions for fillies and mares at Randwick conducted by the Australian Turf Club.

The Invitation is run over 1400m. It was first run in 2021 and was won by Icebath.

The Invitation became the richest race for fillies and mares in the country when initiated and comprises a field of 12 all of whom are invited to run.

The Invitation was worth $2,000,000 in 2025.

Prior to the running of the 2024 edition, it was upgraded to a G2.

The first running was won by a mare Icebath who had had some incredible performances at G1 level but amazingly was yet to win a single group race even six months after she took this race out.

In 2022 Kerrin McEvoy won on Promise Of Success meaning he had won the first two Everests and the first two Invitations.

Back to the G1 mares with Espiona being just strong enough late to score in 2023. It meant Kerrin McEvoy had in fact won all three Invitations.

While McEvoy didn't make it four in a row, the G1 mares were still to the fore as Belcare bounced back at big odds.

The 2024 Invitation was won by Belclare from Magic Time and Makarena.