Asfoora handed trainer Henry Dwyer the biggest win of his career by clinching the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot.
With this victory, Asfoora became Australia’s sixth winner of the prestigious race, joining the ranks of sprinting legends Choisir (2003), Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007), Scenic Blast (2009), and Nature Strip (2022).
“I’m really struggling for words,” Dwyer remarked.
“We’ve come a long way from Ballarat.
“Just an amazing experience from start to finish. It was a bit of an audacious plan – we copped a bit of stick back home for bringing her over because she wasn’t seen as one of our better sprinters, but we were just so confident she was really, really textbook, wheelhouse, five furlongs, and she’s proven that today.
“She’s no Black Caviar or Nature Strip, but she’s a very good sprinter in her own right, and she’s proved she’s up to it.”
Asfoora sprang from gate one, trailing Regional as they led the group of six runners up the stand side. Race favourite Big Evs took charge of the 11 runners toward the inside rail.
Inside the final 400m, Asfoora began to drift towards the centre group, moved up to challenge Big Evs with a furlong to go, and powered away from the field in the latter stages.
Asfoora (+500) defeated Regional (+600) by a length, with a half-length back to Big Evs (11/4) in third.
“Thrilled for connections,” said winning jockey Oisin Murphy.
“It’s very brave to come from Australia with a very good horse. She performed on the day.
“How good was she?
” Regional gave me the perfect tow to halfway; he gave me a nice lead.
“She lugged a little bit right under pressure, but how good was she at the line?
“It’s hard to win Group 1s; the King Charles III Stakes is a massive race. I’m delighted. Royal Ascot day one, to win a Group 1, brilliant.”
This victory marked Asfoora’s ninth win from 20 starts, boosting her earnings to more than $2 million and earning Dwyer his third Group 1 success.
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