Dwyer maintains faith in unplaced Asfoora ahead of 2025 Nunthorpe Stakes
Henry Dwyer is confident Asfoora can rebound in Europe after an unplaced performance at Goodwood overnight. The multiple Group-winning sprinter, who won the King Charles III Stakes last year, finished seventh in the Group 2 King George Stakes (1005m) behind surprise winner Jm Jungle ($15).
With champion jockey Oisin Murphy in the saddle, Asfoora settled back in the field on the straight track, making a mid-race surge along the far-side rail before fading late to finish 2¼ lengths adrift.
Dwyer said the mare, who finished second in the King George Stakes 12 months ago, would take improvement from the run. He now has his sights firmly set on the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes (1005m) at York on August 23. “She went well but just got stuck in the soft ground,” he said. “Oisin said she felt great and wasn’t lacking fitness, but the conditions made it very tough to make ground.”
“She made a strong run from the two-furlong to one-furlong pole but just couldn’t sustain it in the final 50 yards. We knew it would be a challenge, but we’re happy enough heading into more suitable races.”
The King George Stakes marked her second outing in the UK this preparation after finishing fifth in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. After the Nunthorpe, Dwyer is considering a tilt at the Group 1 The Flying Five (1005m) in Ireland or the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye (1000m) on Arc De Triomphe weekend in France.
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