Asfoora Gallant in Defeat at Glorious Goodwood

Tara Madgwick - Saturday August 3

Australian sprint queen Asfoora ran another super race at Goodwood overnight in the Group II King George Stakes (5f) with a 5lb penalty for her last start Group I victory proving the catalyst for three year-old Blue Point colt Big Evs to be able to turn the tables on the daughter of Flying Artie.

Big Evs was third to Asfoora at Royal Ascot in the King Charles III Stakes, but this time the Mick Appleby trained colt was not for catching and held on to win by a neck for Tom Marquand over the late closing Asfoora.

Advertisement

“Big Evs is one in a million and the best I've trained by a long way. It's unbelievable to think of this where I was 15 years ago. I would say it'll be to York, then Breeders' Cup, then off to stud,” said Appleby.

Bred by Rabbah Bloodstock, Big Evs was a 50,000 guinea purchase from the Tattersalls October Book 2 Yearling Sale for Michael Cleere and runs for RP Racing with his overall record now six wins and two placings from nine starts.

Henry Dwyer was delighted with Asfoora even in defeat and is already placing for her next assignment which is likely the Group I Nunthorpe Stakes (5f) at York on August 23.

“Asfoora has gone as well as we could have hoped and we're very proud of her. You could just tell about 400 metres after the start she just came off the bridle. She's quick but they were a bit quick for her early,” said Dwyer.

“Big Evs controlled his own destiny whereas we were stuck behind a couple and got a bit of a bump which probably cost us the win but she's run well and we're more than happy just to be competing.”

A Group I winner last season of the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf, Big Evs is the best of five winners from Hana Lina, a placed half-sister to Group III winner Lady of the Desert (dam of Group II winner Queen Kindly) from Group I winner Queen’s Logic. It’s a top class family that also features European Horse of the Year Dylan Thomas and Group I winners Homecoming Queen, Shale and Serpentine.

The sires of both Big Evs and Asfoora are standing in Victoria this year with Blue Point (IRE) shuttling to Darley at a fee of $44,000, while Flying Arties stands at Blue Gum Farm at a fee of $16,500.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday September 25
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Richard Johnston has bred some very good horses under his Bylong Park banner including triple Group I winner Think It Over and an Anders three year-old he bred and races was an eye-catching debut winner at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
€1.9million Sale-Topping Colt Wins G3 Somerville Stakes
The Group III Somerville Stakes (7f) was run at Newmarket overnight with the Godolphin blue carried by exciting Night of Thunder colt Distant Storm, who they purchased for a sale-topping €1.9million at the Arqana May Breeze Up Sale earlier this year.
Aussie Mare Asfoora Triumphs in G1 York Nunthorpe
Victorians breeders celebrated overnight with Aussie bred and owned Flying Artie mare Asfoora returning to her dazzling best to win the Group I Nunthorpe Stakes (5f) at York  with a scintillating performance.
Inglis Confirm Skybird for Everest Slot
Inglis is thrilled to confirm G1 winner Skybird (Exosphere) as our representative for the running of the $20m The Everest.
Flying Artie's Asfoora Returns From Europe A Winner
Flying Artie’s Royal Ascot heroine Asfoora returned to Australian tracks at Morphettville on Saturday and was straight to the winner’s circle, taking the Group III Sportsbet R N Irwin Stakes (1100m).
Breeding to Win - 2025 Manikato Stakes
Racing at The Valley on Grand Final Eve in Melbourne - the southern capital doing what it does best, bringing people together in celebration of sporting greatness!
Group 1 Moir Stakes Next for Flying Artie's Asfoora
The decision to stay clear of Giga Kick paid off the connections of Asfoora after the quality daughter of Flying Artie made a winning return in Saturday's Listed The McCafe 1100 Stakes at Caulfield.
Aquis Welcome First foals for Young Gun Officiating
A fast Group winning sprinter by Breeders Cup Classic winner Blame, Officiating (USA) was carefully selected by Aquis Stallions following a global headhunting mission to secure an outcross stallion for Queensland and his first foals are arriving this spring.
Invincible Filly Snares $100,000 Inglis Bonus
The least expensive filly by champion sire I Am Invincible sold at Inglis Easter in 2024, Wear the Crown always looked to have been well bought at $260,000 by Seib/Racing / Champion Thoroughbreds and she set about repaying her purchase price at Goulburn on Thursday.