Australian trainer Henry Dwyer was pleased with his star sprinter Asfoora’s first hit-out in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes at Newmarket in the UK on Saturday despite finishing well out of the placings.
Despite starting second favourite, the 7-year-old didn’t finish strongly despite looming. She finished well back in the field in 11th place.
Asfoora was named Europe’s Champion Sprinter for 2025 at the Cartier Racing Awards in London. Her highlights include victories in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York and the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp in France.
Dwyer had previously indicated, despite her previous heroics, his mare would need the run and wasn’t disappointed with her performance.
“A nice pipe-opener for Asfoora today at her seasonal reappearance. She clearly felt the pinch late but wasn’t given a gut buster and will be much better for it come Haydock Park in three weeks,” Dwyer said on social media.
Jockey Oisin Murphy said Asfoora will take fitness from the hit out ahead of her next run in the Group 2 Temple Stakes on May 23.
“She broke lovely as usual and she loved super, but she hit a brick wall at the furlong pole,” Murphy said.
“It was a real end-to-end gallop and she will come on a tonne from it and I look forward to Haydock.”
“The conversation is whether to have blinkers on her next time or not. She’s honest enough to win without them, but she’s just a bit sharper when they’re on.”
A nice pipe opener for Asfoora today at her seasonal reappearance. Clearly felt the pinch late but wasn’t given a gut buster and will be much better for it come Haydock Park in three weeks.
Hear from @oismurphy post race 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/nsbpd33Bh1
— Henry Dwyer Racing (@HDwyerRacing) May 2, 2026
