Asfoora in race to be crowned Europe’s champion sprinter

Australian mare Asfoora is in the running for another piece of international silverware, shortlisted for Europe’s champion sprinter at the Cartier Racing Awards to be announced on Wednesday.

The Ballarat-trained six-year-old is one of four contenders for the title, joining Arizona Blaze, Big Mojo and Lazzat on the final ballot.

After capturing the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, the Henry Dwyer-trained Asfoora returned this season to claim the Nunthorpe Stakes at York and then the Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp, becoming the first Australian-trained horse to win in France.

Her two European Group 1 victories this year has put her firmly in the frame for the region’s top sprinting honour.

The Cartier Racing Award is determined by a split of between Group race points (30 per cent), assessments by journalists and handicappers (35 per cent) and a public vote (35 per cent).

Dwyer is travelling to London for the ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel and will use the trip to visit Asfoora, who is spelling at Luca and Sara Cumani’s Fittocks Stud in Newmarket after remaining in Europe. She is midway through a 10-week break, with plans forming for a northern hemisphere return in late March or early April.

Australian Bloodstock-owned stallion Al Riffa is also in contention at the Cartier Awards, nominated for the stayer title after victories in the Curragh Cup and Irish St Leger, followed by his Melbourne Cup appearance earlier this month.