Royal Ascot champ Asfoora enjoys coastal build-up for Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes

Globetrotting mare Asfoora is no stranger to new surrounds, and life at the beach for the past two weeks has her relaxed and ready for the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes on Saturday.

Trainer Henry Dwyer with his star mare Asfoora in South Australia. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

Asfoora is no stranger to new surrounds, and a refreshing two weeks by the beach has the Royal Ascot champion ready to zero in on a maiden Group 1 win in Australia on Saturday.

Henry Dwyer’s star mare returned with aplomb in the Group 3 Irwin Stakes earlier this month, defeating Sghirripa by a long neck, and is an equal $5 favourite with Sportsbet for Saturday’s $1m Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.

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Dwyer, who has spent the last two weeks in Adelaide with Asfoora, was buoyed by the Sangster lead-up, the mare’s first race in seven months since a European campaign that saw her claim the King Charles III Stakes last June.

“She came through it well, it was a big, big effort, first-up for seven months and being able to win,” Dwyer, who trains at Ballarat, said.

“On the plus side, it wasn’t a gut-busting run, she had a lovely soft run behind them and just had to peel off their backs. She might’ve been a little bit soft late, as you’d expert first-up for seven months.

“You’d expect her to have plenty of improvement in her, we’ve sort of seen that in her work this morning (Tuesday), she galloped really strongly and pulled up well – she’s in a really good spot for Saturday.”

Asfoora has been based with trainer David Jolly at Goolwa during this Adelaide campaign, an ideal set up that allows her to enjoy plenty of fresh air along with access to Goolwa Beach, which offers a therapeutic benefit.

Asfoora (right) goes for a dip in the water at Goolwa Beach. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

• Field and barriers: Robert Sangster Stakes, Australasian Oaks

“It suits her in particular, but I’d say any older horse, they love getting a bit of fresh air around, trained out of a yard and going to the beach,” he said.

“She copes with everything really well, she’s obviously been around the world, she’s a good, seasoned traveller so new environments don’t worry her and it’s probably good for her to spice things up a bit.

“(We thought) if we ever did go to Adelaide, we’d like to keep her with David, we tend to have a few with him here. He’s trained horses for us in the past.

“He’s a terrific guy and very handy to have on board, he’s got a great set up there so it suits us.”

While Asfoora’s preparation into the Sangster has been ideal, barrier 14 isn’t, although the Sangster does have a history of winners from wide gates, including last year’s victor Climbing Star, who drew 14.

The past three Sangster winners have all drawn wider than 12.

“I would’ve liked to have drawn a middle barrier and ridden her a little bit quieter,” he said.

“Been midfield and given her a chance to see out a strong 1200m, but I suppose from 14 you either go right forward or right back so we’ll have to work out which one we’re doing.”

"Welcome back to Australia!"

Asfoora wins on her return to Australia with a tough win in the R N Irwin Stakes 🔥@[e-mail]/N3W5ewYCFf

— Racing.com (@Racing) April 12, 2025

• Jolly pair primed to lead local charge in Sangster

Dwyer, is no stranger to success in Adelaide, he won the 2016 Sangster with Precious Gem, and spent some early years living in South Australia.

He has fond memories of Morphettville, and also former racecourses Cheltenham and Victoria Park.

“I’ve had a bit of family history in Adelaide, my family lived over there for several years in my teens, I used to go out to Morphettville, Cheltenham and Vic Park, I’d watch the races and trials at Vic Park,” Dwyer said.

“I do have an affinity with Adelaide, we’ve won plenty of races over there.

“She’s obviously won a Group 1 at Royal Ascot, but she hasn’t won one in Australia, if she could do it in the Sangster – it would be great.”

The Sangster will be Asfoora’s last run in Adelaide before her next globetrotting mission.

Dwyer is eyeing the Temple Stakes at Haydock, or the Prix Du Gros-Chene at Chantilly, as a lead-up run into Royal Ascot, as the pair strive to defend their King Charles III Stakes crown on June 17.

Life’s a beach for Asfoora @DJollyRacing . Slipping into the 🏖️ lifestyle with a minimum of fuss.

📷 The Rising Sun Photography pic.twitter.com/YjwJIkWL2U

— Henry Dwyer Racing (@HDwyerRacing) April 18, 2025

Originally published as Royal Ascot champ Asfoora enjoys coastal build-up for Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes