Breeders’ Cup assignment is off the table for Asfoora

Asfoora will enjoy a well-earned winter break in England after her Prix de l’Abbaye heroics, with a Breeders’ Cup bid ruled out by connections.

Henry Dwyer’s star mare has flown the flag for her trainer’s Australian stable with great success over the past two seasons, spending her summers in Europe and contesting many of the key sprint events.

The seven-year-old took her third Group One in the Northern Hemisphere on Sunday, a victory made all the more remarkable by the fact her participation was in doubt at the 11th hour when connections realised her passport had been left behind at Amy Murphy’s Chantilly stable – Asfoora’s base for the French foray.

A heroic Uber driver named Mamadou saved the day by delivering the document with minutes to spare, and Dwyer’s gratitude was evident even if the driver could not take up his invitation to join the post-race party in Paris.

“It was a pretty big celebration last night, we’re getting the train today back to London and then to Newmarket,” Dwyer told the PA news agency.

“I suppose it depends on what your individual idea of a late night is, but we definitely made the most of it!

“The opportunities she’s given us, you just wouldn’t believe it. We came over last year thinking that if she could pay her way it’d be great, and that if she could perhaps win a race it’d be amazing – but here we are now, three Group Ones and the party rolls on next year.”

Asfoora won the Nunthorpe at York in August and earned herself a stall in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in November, with her Prix de l’Abbaye triumph then securing her another opportunity to contest the same race.

Breeders’ Cup ‘win and you’re in’ races require a horse to have been nominated for the meeting at a pre-entry stage, however, and as Asfoora was not previously put forward connections will decline to travel to Del Mar.

“She’s won two ‘win and you’re in’ races, but we’d still need to pay a late fee and it is quite pricey, so we won’t be going over there,” Dwyer explained.

“She’ll have some time in the paddock now, her owners are very intent on racing her again next year, of course I’m not going to say no to that.

“She will be with Sara and Luca Cumani, she goes to their property tomorrow in Newmarket and she will have a very well deserved rest with them.”