The Spring Carnival has lost one of its most exciting three-year-olds before his campaign even started with Espionage to undergo surgery following an accident in training.

Managing owner James Harron on Sunday revealed the Zoustar colt injured a leg after and would be sidelined until next year.

“After kicking out on the walker, Espionage was found to have a tibial bone sequestrum, which will require surgical removal, and as such he miss what was planned to be a very exciting Spring for him,” Harron said.

“Raced under the James Harron Bloodstock Colt partnership along with Coolmore Stud, Espionage will undergo surgery this week.

“The veterinary team have every confidence that he will be fully recovered in time for the Autumn, where he will be targetting Australia’s leading sprint races for trainers Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse.”

Espionage, the Breeders Plate winner from last year, has not raced since recording a second career success in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) on April 6.

Prior to the news of his injury, the $1 million Magic Millions yearling was an $11 chance with betting sites for this year’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and was an $18 chance in The Everest betting.