Asfoora Racing Photos
Victorian-bred and raced mare Asfoora will look to record her first Group 1 win in next week’s Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.
The mare placed at Group 1 level earlier this year in the Oakleigh Plate behind Uncommon James and Lofty Strike, showing that her best is up to some of the top tier sprinters in Australia.
The mare was bred by Noor Elaine Farm and was passed in at the 2020 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, retained to race by the farm and subsequently sent to Henry Dwyer.
Noor Elaine Farm’s Tim Jackson said that Asfoora is out of a very well-bred mare, but did have some conformation issues when in Adelaide.
“She was just one out of the box, to tell you the truth,” Jackson said.
“She is out of the unraced mare Golden Child, and she is relatively well-bred, bought from an online dispersal sale from Darley.
“They prepared Asfoora for Adelaide but she didn’t make reserve, because, well she’s not the prettiest horse to look at and she had a few conformation issues.
“As a result, Akram (El Fahkri) and the boys kept her, and the rest is history.”
Asfoora is by Blue Gum Farm’s new stallion acquisition Flying Artie who just last week recorded his eighth stakes winner, Democracy Manifest, in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle.
Her dam, Golden Child, has subsequently produced unraced three-year-old Moaksun, and two colts, one by their very own stallion Ilovethiscity and one by Widden Stud Victoria’s Dirty Work.
“Moaksun was prepared by myself, where we took him to the Adelaide sale,” Jackson said.
“He didn’t quite make his reserve, so Henry (Dwyer) has ended up with him. He is a little different on type, he is a fairly big horse and is going to need a little bit of time.
“The Ilovethiscity is probably the picture boy of the three. He is a beautiful type of horse and is progressing quite nicely.”
The mare returned to the track on September 2nd, scoring a comfortable win the Group 3 the Heath at Caulfield with Mitch Aitken back in the saddle, who has ridden her to four wins from seven mounts.
Already recording over $900,000 in prize-money, Jackson hopes not only to see her claim her first Group 1, but also to reach $1 million in career earnings.
“If she were to win, it would be pretty special for the farm,” Jackson said.
“Akram and his family have put a lot of money into the industry and into the farm. Not only does she deserve that Group 1, but the family does as well.
“It’s actually quite humbling to see them have a good horse.
“We aren’t the Inghams, Widden or Darley, we are taking it one race at a time as she looks a once in a lifetime horse for the farm. She is pretty special to us.
“Moonee Valley, it’s one of those tracks where over these sprinting trips, you need to draw a gate and have a little bit of luck.”
Resident stallion Ilovethiscity, the sire of $1 million VOBIS Sires Showdown winner King’s Consort will once again be nominated for the VOBIS Platinum program this season.
“He is definitely at the cross-roads this season,” Jackson said.
“This two-year-old crop will be his biggest book that he’s had with approximately 120 mares three years ago.
“He will need a couple of good headline horses to give him that boost now.”
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