'It was a pie-in-the-sky goal' - Henry Dwyer reflects on Asfoora's glittering summer after return to Australia

Royal Ascot winner Asfoora is heading home to Australia after trainer Henry Dwyer decided against pursuing further overseas targets this year.

The mare followed her victory in the King Charles III Stakes with a short-head second to Big Evs in the King George Stakes and a fourth behind Bradsell when 6-4 favourite in last month's Nunthorpe.

Races such as the Flying Five at the Curragh, Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp and Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar were under consideration, but the international jaunt is over.

"She had three runs in Australia and one at Haydock before Royal Ascot and I just felt she's peaked and is on the way down after her long preparation," said Dwyer, whose six-year-old amassed £491,748 in prize-money from her four runs in Britain.

"Although she didn't win, I think Goodwood was as good a run as she's ever put in and sometimes after they've put in their peak run, they can be a length or two below their best.

"It wasn't a bad run at York as she was beaten only a length and a quarter. Oisin's [Murphy] feedback was the track was firm underneath and they were knocking the top off it and he felt she didn't get as much grip as she'd have liked.

"Whatever the case, I just felt she was a length or two below what she'd done in her last couple of runs and it was an opportune time to pull the plug."

Henry Dwyer: eyeing a return to Royal Ascot next yearCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Asfoora became the latest southern hemisphere sprinter to conqueror Royal Ascot when winning for Akram El-Fahkri's Noor Elaine Farm in June, and Dwyer is already eyeing a return to defend her title next year.

"She's done such a good job in Britain and I didn't want to see her run poorly," said the trainer. "We thought we'd look after her, send her home and give her a chance for next year.

"The owner is keen to race on, and hopefully we can do it all again if she comes back in good order. We've had plenty of offers for her but Akram is very keen to breed from her longer term and his family is very much in love with her.

"This year I wasn't sure Ascot would really suit her but, the way she went, you'd have to target that next year. We'll just know from the experience that maybe we don't need those extra couple of runs earlier and then we might be able to get to Ireland, France or America."

Asfoora, who could start next year in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington, is set to enter quarantine before an extended break at her owner's farm in Victoria, having provided memories that will last a lifetime.

"Satisfaction is the main thing," said Dwyer. "It was a bit of a pie-in-the-sky goal and I was a little surprised Akram went for it, but once he did it put the pressure on me to get the result – and we did."

Read these next:

'Success here is a huge thing' - Frankie Dettori and Andrew Balding combine to land valuable Nashville Derby 

'He was a huge part of Doncaster' - St Leger meeting to honour Racing Post legend Howard Wright 

'It’s a great addition to the team' - Classic winner Fallen Angel bought by Wathnan Racing 

The Front Runner is our unmissable email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, the reigning Racing Writer of the Year, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday. Not a Members' Club Ultimate subscriber? Click here to join today and also receive our Ultimate Daily emails plus our full range of fantastic website and newspaper content.