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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Greg Wood at Goodwood

Asfoora retirement on hold after popular sprinter’s gallant defeat at Goodwood

Four racehorses with jockeys gallop closely together at Goodwood.
Asfoora (blue colours, black cap) may have one last race after his fourth-placed run at Goodwood on Friday. Photograph: Steven Cargill/racingfotos.com/Shutterstock

This was expected to be the day when Asfoora, one of the most popular sprinters of recent seasons, ran her last race before heading home to Australia and the breeding paddocks. But the seven-year-old mare could yet have a final outing at Group One level after being ridden by Oisin Murphy to a close fourth behind American Affair in a blanket finish to the King George Stakes.

Asfoora already has wins in the three most prestigious five‑furlong events in Europe, having taken the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2024 and the Nunthorpe Stakes, at York, and the Prix de l’Abbaye, at Longchamp, last year. She had been a long way short of that form this season before her fine run here, however, and was due to enter quarantine next week before flying home to Australia.

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