Australian Mare Asfoora Wins Nunthorpe Stakes at York

Australian-trained mare Asfoora, under trainer Henry Dwyer and jockey Oisin Murphy, won the prestigious Group One Nunthorpe Stakes at York's Ebor Festival, marking a significant triumph after near misses at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood. The victory was achieved with a decisive surge in the final furlong, finishing a length and a quarter ahead of 100-1 outsider Ain't Nobody, with Asfoora completing the five-furlong race in just over 57 seconds. The win, which earned £395,552, is Asfoora's second top-level success in Britain and has led to plans for her to continue racing in Europe, including potential entries in the Flying Five Stakes in Ireland and the Prix de l'Abbaye in France. Despite the challenges of transporting and conditioning Asfoora for the northern hemisphere racing season, her connections remained confident in her ability, highlighting the unique opportunities European sprint racing offers compared to Australia. The victory also qualifies Asfoora for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in the United States, though logistical considerations remain for that race. Overall, Asfoora's success underscores the dedication and strategic planning of her team in pursuing international racing excellence.