Watch: Asfoora goes close in King George Qatar Stakes, retirement plans in doubt

Asfoora’s retirement plans have been thrown into doubt after the Australian sprint star produced her best performance of the season with a fighting fourth in the Group 2 King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood.

The Henry Dwyer-trained mare had been expected to head home to Australia and begin her broodmare career following the race unless she returned to winning form.

I thought Asfoora and Oisin had it won! 🥹pic.twitter.com/KqXxXMpUan

— Stephen R Power (@racingblogger) July 31, 2026

While victory eluded her, the encouraging performance has prompted connections to reconsider, with a defence of her Nunthorpe Stakes crown now firmly back on the table.

“It will be left completely up to the owner [Akram El-Fahkri],” Dwyer said.

“I’m not even going to advise him one way or the other. It’s his call. He’s the one financing the operation. I’ll say, without any guidance whatsoever, that it’s up to him to make the call.”

Winner of last year’s Nunthorpe Stakes and Prix de l’Abbaye, Asfoora had endured a frustrating campaign before Friday’s effort, finishing well back in the Palace House Stakes and Temple Stakes before improving with seventh in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot.

She then finished last in the Coral Charge after striking her head in the starting barriers, leaving Dwyer convinced there was a genuine excuse for the disappointing run.

“We’ve thought she’s been going well, so I’m delighted,” Dwyer said.

“There’s an old saying that you can always forgive a horse one bad run, and that’s all it’s been. She was great at Ascot and today was great. She couldn’t have gone much better.

“She just got left without a horse to take her into the race and was probably on the inferior ground with the first three coming out wide.

“Oisin [Murphy] said he was left by himself for too long. She pinged the gates, showed enthusiasm and that’s all we were looking for, a sign she wants to be there.”

If connections decide to press on, Asfoora is expected to attempt back-to-back victories in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York on August 21.

“That’s the obvious one. She won it last year. The field will be the same as it was here, pretty much. We know she’s that level and she seems to be going well enough.

“I’m just proud of the fact we’ve been able to keep her up this long, having handled her pretty patiently early on. As a trainer, all you can do is take pride in the job you do with the horse. To have her in good order for so many seasons is really pleasing.”