Royal Ascot 2023 - 2025

Ballarat mare Asfoora faded late on her run for history overnight at Royal Ascot with last year’s King Charles III (1000m) winner coming in equal fifth in her defense of the title.

Ridden again by Oisin Murphy, who guided her to a famous success in the race 12 months ago, Asfoora made a similar run down the middle of the course to contend, before being overwhelmed late in the race.

Asfoora had been aiming to become the first internationally-trained horse to return and defend their group 1 crown from the Royal Ascot carnival

Trainer Henry Dwyer said the race did not quite work out for Asfoora, who was going into the race fresh after arriving in the UK later this year meaning she could not have a prep run as she did at Haydock last year.

“Oisin [Murphy] was just of the opinion we got stuck on the wrong part of the track,” Dwyer explained after the race.

“Even though she loomed at the 150-metre mark like she had a fair chance, she probably just felt the pinch for having to do a fair bit to get into the race.”

Dwyer can look forward with some confidence to the remainder of Asfoora’s second European venture with runs in the UK and potentially Ireland France still to come.  “There’s not much for us at home so it will be Goodwood, York and beyond hopefully,” he said.