Asfoora stamped her claim to be this year's champion sprinter of Europe with a decisive success in the Prix de l'Abbaye at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.

Trained in Australia by Henry Dwyer, Asfoora has spent the last two summers in Europe, winning at Royal Ascot in 2024 and this year taking the Nunthorpe at York in August. Now she has become the first Australian-trained horse to win a race in Australia, overcoming rain-softened ground to score by half a length from Czech outsider Jawwal. The Irish-trained She's Quality was third, a further two and a half lengths behind.

Patiently ridden under cover in fifth place along the rail, Asfoora was switched out by Oisin Murphy and swept past Jawwal (by Wooded), who had seemed on his way to glory.

During the post-race press conference, Henry Dwyer said: "Last year we introduced Asfoora to Europe by racing only in England. But this year we wanted to try something new. We had already thought about running in the Abbaye last year, but she ran too poorly at York and it would have been too much for her. This year we went for a slightly different programme.

"Today we were a bit lucky, because when Asfoora arrived at the races we didn’t have her passport — it had been left behind in Chantilly, and instead we had the passport of the horse we bought yesterday at Arqana! Fortunately, Francis Graffard’s assistant went back to the yard, gave the passport to an Uber, and now we can drink champagne! So thank you to him as well - and thank you to the Uber driver! I’ve just posted his name on Twitter, and if he reads this, he’s welcome to join our party tonight!"

He added: "I’m not a big trainer; I’m not going to win trainer titles or Melbourne Cups or anything like that… But trying something different is what motivates us, I guess.

"The times she’s failed on soft ground — at York last year, at Goodwood this year, and at the Curragh — the ground was really horrible, properly heavy. Today, no one had raced on this part of the track for about a month.

"Yes, it was softer than ideal, but we had the first use of the ground, she was well placed, had a great run and a beautiful ride from Oisin Murphy. I’d like to watch the replay, because it wasn’t easy to follow live, but it’s just incredible.

"Racing, like life, is about experiences — about trying new things and living new adventures. As I’ve said many times, we’re not a big stable, but having a mare who allows us to live moments like this… I owe her everything. She’s given us the thrill of a lifetime.

"A huge thank you to my family at home, all my staff, the team at Newmarket who hosted and cared for Chanel, and of course to Amy and Lemos — without them, who were running everywhere today, she wouldn’t even have made it to the start! It’s been an absolutely incredible day.”

Martina Van Luka, wife of the trainer of Jawwal, said: "It’s an incredible day for us - truly a great day! Just being here is already a dream, but finishing second in a Group 1… oh my God, I can’t believe it! We hesitated about running him, because he’s only three and had to carry a big weight, but he really outdid himself.”

Jack Davison, trainer of She’s Quality, said: "She ran a super race after a long campaign. She was coming off a Group 1 fourth at the Curragh, and now she’s finished third in the Abbaye. She always turns up when it matters. She’s proved herself to be a top-class sprinter, and we’re very pleased with her run, especially as she’s better on good ground. She’s improved a lot from three to four, and there’s no reason she shouldn’t progress again from four to five. We’re considering running her in the Breeders’ Cup - partly because the ground and track at Del Mar should suit her, and also because she travels so well.”