Aussie speedball Asfoora has been given the go-ahead by her connections to defend her title in the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York on August 21. Although winless in five 2026 appearances, the eight-year-old mare was a close fourth in the G2 King George Stakes for trainer Henry Dwyer on July 31. Based in the UK at Lemos de Souza's stables in Newmarket, Asfoora's retirement has been delayed for now. “She's going to run in the Nunthorpe and will try to defend [her] title,” Amy Murphy, the wife of De Souza, confirmed. “It was brilliant to see her come back to how we know her.