Asfoora given chance to defend her Nunthorpe crown

Asfoora has been given the go-ahead to defend her title in the Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

Henry Dwyer’s Australian speedster has won three Group Ones on European soil over the past couple of seasons, with her triumph on the Knavesmire last summer sandwiched by victories in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2024 and and Prix de l’Abbaye at ParisLongchamp in October.

The eight-year-old failed to run up to her best on her first four starts of this season and after finishing last in the Coral Charge at Sandown in early July, retirement looked to be on the cards.

However, having produced a resurgent performance to finish a close-up fourth in the King George Stakes at Goodwood last week, a planned return to her homeland to begin broodmare duties has been delayed until after the Ebor Festival in a fortnight’s time.

Amy Murphy and her husband Lemos de Souza have played a big part in Asfoora’s European adventure and she is currently based at the latter’s stable in Newmarket.

“She’s going to run in the Nunthorpe and will try to defend title,” Murphy confirmed.

“She’s in super form. She’s a horse that needs a lead for as long as possible and she was probably just left in front at Goodwood that bit too long on the far side of the track.

“It was brilliant to see her come back to how we know her. She was meant to go into quarantine the day after Goodwood to go back to Australia, but having run such a great race everyone has made the call that we’ll have a crack at the Nunthorpe and hopefully she’ll go there in great order.”