Noor Elaine Farm's Asfoora bounced back to winning ways in the Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) Aug. 22 at York Racecourse. The victory secured the 7-year-old an automatic berth into the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) through the Breeders' Cup Challenge: Win and You're In. The Henry Dwyer-trained winner went three places better in this race than last year, when she finished fourth.
Asfoora was always handy behind the pacesetter Night Raider on the inside of the track, and hit the front under Oisin Murphy with a furlong to go. Frost At Dawn and Jm Jungle tried to go with the eventual winner but ultimately struggled to get on terms inside the closing stages. It was the fast-finishing Ain't Nobody, at 100-1 odds, under Kevin Stott, who made the most ground but was unable to reel in the winner.
The winning margin was 1 1/4 lengths, with Frost At Dawn a nose back in third.
A winner of last year's King Charles III Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot, Asfoora had been largely ignored in the market and was sent off at 11-1 behind Arizona Blaze, who went off as the 9-2 favorite and would finish eleventh.
It was a first win in this prestigious group 1 contest for Murphy, who complimented connections after the race.
"They had her in some condition," Murphy said. "It's very difficult to bring them up from Australia two years on the trot. I allowed her to row forward and she traveled very well. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes and she was electric today."
Dwyer spoke after the race about the achievement of Asfoora joining Ortensia in becoming the second Australian-trained winner of this contest.
"It is pretty special," Dwyer said of the daughter of Flying Artie. "We knew we had her at her peak. It's not about the money, it's about experiencing new things. That was our motto last year and this year, and long may it continue."
When asked about what the closing stages of Asfoora's season will look like, Dwyer identified the Flying Five Stakes (G1) and the Prix de l'Abbaye (G1) followed by a potential trip to Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint as her principal targets.
"It's hard to keep getting horses to peak but after France, we'll see what happens," Dwyer said. "We thought the Breeders' Cup was an option last year but it became a bit hard when she was over the top. This year could be different as she might just be peaking at the right time and can hopefully sustain that until then."
Asfoora completed the five furlongs in :57.38 on a surface listed as good to firm.
As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for Asfoora to start in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.
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