King Charles III Stakes |
 |
|
| Group 1, Ascot 15:40 £650,000 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 5f, Class 1  |
||
|
||
There’s a new wrinkle in the script for Asfoora, but the stakes are just as high. Blinkers go on as Henry Dwyer’s flying six-year-old returns to Royal Ascot to defend her crown in the King Charles III Stakes—new name, same stage, same electric five furlongs.
And if last year’s scorcher was the opening act of her European adventure, this time the curtain rises with sharper focus—literally. “It’s about finding that one per cent,” Dwyer said, as the Aussie ace limbers up for her first start of the northern campaign. “She’s always been a bit of a looker—easily distracted—but this year she feels more measured, more mature. The blinkers might just be the finishing touch.”
Back on familiar ground at Newmarket’s Hamilton Road, the mare has settled in like she never left, despite a very different lead-in this time around. Gone is the eight-week bedding-in period and Haydock prep. In its place? A streamlined campaign, built at home, flown in late—forced by flight logistics, not design.
“We’d have loved to arrive earlier, maybe with a run in France, but the flights just didn’t allow it,” Dwyer explained. “It’s not ideal, but she’s travelled well. Oisin [Murphy] galloped her on Monday and was delighted. She put on a show—glided over the July course, blinkers on, barely blowing when she pulled up.”
Murphy, who partnered her to glory last year, renews the association and was bullish after Monday’s spin. “She went through the line full of running,” said Dwyer. “It was like a bowling green out there—perfect conditions—and she looked right at home.”
Ascot, though, is just the beginning. Dwyer is plotting a longer stay this time, with Goodwood and York already inked in and hopes high for Ireland and France to follow.
“We’ve kept her fresher this year—two fewer runs back home to give us that option,” he said. “If she holds up, we’d love to hit all those targets. Just being able to turn up at those iconic tracks—it would mean a lot.”
Lining up against her will be a cast of familiar foes and new faces. Ed Bethell’s Regional returns for another crack, while Wathnan Racing’s recent recruits Flora Of Bermuda (Andrew Balding) and Night Raider (Karl Burke), fresh from placing behind Inisherin at York, add intrigue.
Ed Walker will be hoping his purple patch rolls on into Royal Ascot, with the progressive Mgheera set to carry leading hopes on the opening day.
Unbeaten in two since switching to Walker’s Lambourn base at the start of the campaign, the five-year-old advertised her liking for a sound surface with an impressive display in the Temple Stakes at Haydock—a win that has seen her shorten to as low as 12-1 for the June 17 sprint.
🚀
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 24, 2025
Mgheera powered home in the Group Two @Betfred Temple Stakes for @edwalkerracing 🏆 @haydockraces
What a day for @WilliamBuickX 👏 pic.twitter.com/o7GLvQKYWC
“The key’s been the ground,” said Walker. “Tom Marquand rode her work and was adamant she wanted it quick—full credit to him for that. She’s just come alive on it.”
A fast start to the Royal meeting would be just the tonic, and Mgheera’s upward trajectory makes her a fascinating contender for the newly-named feature.
But it won’t be all hands on deck. Notable absentee from Walker’s squad is Celandine, the Lowther Stakes winner, who’s yet to be sighted this season following a respiratory setback.
“She was meant to go at Newmarket on Guineas weekend,” Walker explained, “but the infection knocked her back more than we’d hoped. She’s back in light work now, but I’ve taken her out of Ascot—just didn’t want to force her into the Commonwealth Cup without a prep.”
“She’s a proper fast-ground filly and there’ll be races for her, but we’ll let her come to hand in her own time. It’s never easy with these three-year-old sprinters, they don’t get much margin for error.”
And in a tale that has galloped from the sands of Meydan to the green lawns of Newmarket, George Boughey’s flying filly Believing now carries more than just Group One ambitions — she’s in foal to the imperious Frankel.
The daughter of Mehmas, fresh from finally cashing in on her potential with a sparkling Al Quoz Sprint success on Dubai World Cup night, now eyes up Royal Ascot and the King Charles III Stakes, still burning with unfinished business before retiring later this year.
Sold to Coolmore for a princely three million guineas, her new owners wasted no time in introducing her to the court of equine royalty this spring. And while motherhood beckons, Boughey insists there’s plenty of racing still to come.
"She’s a different filly this year," Boughey says with quiet confidence. "She’s happy, she’s thriving, and she looks bang on track." A switch in stable, a change in scenery, and possibly the best work data of her career – all the signs point to Ascot.
Looking back, Boughey is candid. "I held her back over five – bad draws didn’t help. But Meydan’s flat six, a William Buick special, and suddenly the promise turned into proof."
And while the Royal meeting may not be her final curtain, it’s certainly her next act. With the July Cup and even redemption at the Nunthorpe still glimmering on the horizon, Believing may yet add more glory before bidding the track farewell — and the paddocks hello.
The stars may align on that Royal Tuesday — and Believing, now carrying the hopes of two careers, could yet leave us with one final flourish.
King Charles III Stakes (Group 1)
£650,000 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 5f, Class 1
26 remaining entries
Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY
1 2116-6 Aesterius 3 9-1 Archie Watson
2 10-115 American Affair 5 9-7 Jim Goldie
3 124-17 Asfoora 6 9-4 Henry Dwyer Oisin Murphy
4 112-31 Balmoral Lady 4 9-4 Ed Walker
5 3223-1 Believing 5 9-4 George Boughey
6 1670-1 Bucanero Fuerte 4 9-7 Adrian Murray
7 184-23 Estepona 3 9-1 M Delcher Sanchez -
8 1453-2 Flora Of Bermuda 4 9-4 Andrew Balding
9 -87221 Frost At Dawn 4 9-4 William Knight
10 3600-6 Jasour 4 9-7 Clive Cox
11 5546-7 Kerdos 5 9-7 Clive Cox
12 1231-7 Magnum Force 3 9-1 G M Lyons
13 311/3/ Manaccan 6 9-7 John Ryan
14 506-11 Mgheera 2 5 9-4 Ed Walker
15 080-61 Monteille 4 9-4 Mario Baratti
16 0511-3 Night Raider 4 9-7 K R Burke
17 615-92 No Half Measures 4 9-4 Richard Hughes
18 11/5-2 Prime Art 4 9-4 Jane Chapple-Hyam Billy Loughnane
19 /224-3 Regional 7 9-7 Edward Bethell
20 551-16 Rumstar 5 9-7 Jonathan Portman
21 3910-7 Starlust 4 9-7 Ralph Beckett
22 1348-9 Storm Boy 3 9-7 A P O'Brien
23 814-61 Tropical Storm 3 9-1 Andrew Balding
24 554-59 Twilight Calls 7 9-7 Richard Spencer
25 57-243 Washington Heights 5 9-7 Kevin Ryan
26 1-2118 West Acre 3 9-1 George Scott
KING CHARLES III STAKES
Past Results
2024-WINNER-ASFOORA Henry Dwyer Oisin Murphy Noor Elaine Farm Pty Ltd 5 9-04 5/1
2023-WINNER-BRADSELL Archie Watson Hollie Doyle Victorious Racing 3 9-01 14/1
2022-WINNER-NATURE STRIP Chris Waller James McDonald R A E Lyons, P D Harrison Et Al 7 9-07 9/4
2021-WINNER-OXTED Roger Teal Cieren Fallon S Piper,T Hirschfeld,D Fish & J Collins 5 9-05 4/1
2020-WINNER-BATTAASH Charlie Hills Jim Crowley Hamdan Al Maktoum 6-9-04 5/6F
2019-WINNER-BLUE POINT Charlie Appleby James Doyle Godolphin 5-9-04 5/2
2018-WINNER-BLUE POINT Charlie Appleby William Buick Godolphin 4-9-04 6/1
2017-WINNER-LADY AURELIA 3-8-09 Owner-Stonestreet Stables, George Bolton, Peter Leidel; Trainer-Wesley Ward USA; Jockey- John Velazquez; SP-7/2
2ND-Profitable 5-9-04 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Clive Cox; Jockey-James Doyle; SP-14/1
3RD-Marsha 4-9-01 Owner-Elite Racing Club; Trainer-Sir Mark Prescott; Jockey-Luke Morris; 11/4F
17 ran; Time-57.45s; Dist-3, hd
2016-WINNER-PROFITABLE 4-9-04 Owner-Alan Spence; Trainer-Clive Cox; Jockey-Adam Kirby; SP-4/1
2ND-Cotai Glory 4-9-04 Owner-Kangyu Int Racing (HK) Ltd & F Ma; Trainer-Charlie Hills; Jockey-George Baker-SP-33/1
3RD-Goken 4-9-04 Owner-Guy Pariente; Trainer-Kevin Ryan; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-50/1
17 ran; Time-1m 2.69s; Dist-nk, 1 6/4 Fav Mecca’s Angel (16th)
2015-WINNER-GOLDREAM 6-9-04 Owner-J Sargeant & Mrs J Morley; Trainer-Robert Cowell; Jockey-Martin Harley; SP-20/1
2ND-Medicean Man 9-9-04 Owner-Stuart & Kate Dobb; Trainer-Jeremy Gask; Jockey-Joao Moreira; SP-50/1
3RD-Muthmir 5-9-04 Owner-Hamdan Al Maktoum; Trainer-William Haggas; Jockey-Paul Hanagan; SP-3/1
18 ran; Time-59.11s; Dist-sh, nk 5/2 Fav Sole Power (5th)
2014-WINNER- SOLE POWER 7-9-04 Owner-Sabena Power; Trainer-Edward Lynam IRE; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-5/1
2ND-Stepper Point 5-9-04 Owner-Clive Edginton; Trainer-William Muir; Jockey-Martin Dwyer; SP-50/1
3RD-Hot Streak 3-8-12 Owner-Qatar Racing Limited; Trainer-Kevin Ryan; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-3/1 Fav
16 ran; Time-58.85s; Dist-11⁄4, nk
2013-WINNER- SOLE POWER 6-9-04 Owner-Sabena Power; Trainer-Edward Lynam IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh: SP-8/1
2ND-Shea Shea 6-9-04 Owner-Bryan Joffe & Myron Berzack; Trainer-Mike De Kock SAF; Jockey-Christophe Soumillon; SP-11/4 Fav
3RD-Pearl Secret 4-9-04 Owner-Qatar Racing Limited; Trainer-David Barron; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-10/1
19 ran; Time-58.88s; Dist-nk, 1¼
2012-WINNER- LITTLE BRIDGE 6-9-04 Owner-Ko Kam Piu; Trainer-Danny Shum HK; Jockey-Zac Purton; SP-12/1
2RD-Bated Breath 5-9-04 Owner-Khalid Abdullah; Trainer-Roger Charlton; Jockey-James Doyle; SP-11/2
3RD-Sole Power 5-9-04 Owner-Sabena Power; Trainer-Eddie Lynam IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-8/1
22 ran; Time: 59.29s; Dist ¾, 1 9/2 Jt Favs Ortensia (9th), Wizz Kid (10th)
2011-WINNER- PROHIBIT 6-9-04 Owner-Dasmal, Rix, Barr, Morley, Mrs Penny; Trainer-Robert Cowell; Jockey-Jim Crowley;
SP-7/1
2RD-Star Witness 4-9-04 Owner-Widden Stud; Trainer-Danny O’Brien AUS; Jockey-Steven Arnold; SP-6/1
3RD-Sweet Sanette 6-9-01 Owner-Chow Hong & Wu Po Kung; Trainer-Tony Millard HK; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-16/1
19 ran; Time: 59.50s; Dist ½, ½ 11/2 Fav Kingsgate Native (6th)
2010-WINNER-EQUIANO 5-9-04 Owner-James Acheson; Trainer-Barry Hills; Jockey-Michael Hills; SP-9/2
2ND-Markab 7-9-04 Owner-Tight Lines Partnership; Trainer-Henry Candy; Jockey-Pat Cosgrave; SP-14/1
3RD-Borderlescott 8-9-04 Owner-James Edgar & William Donaldson; Trainer-Robin Bastiman; Jockey-Neil Callan; SP-16/1
12 ran; Time: 59.00s; Dist: 1½, nk 5/2 Fav Kingsgate Native (6th)
2009-WINNER-SCENIC BLAST 5-9-04 Owner-Elio Anthony Galante & Partners; Trainer-Danny Morton AUS; Jockey-Steven
Arnold; SP 11/4 Fav
2ND-Fleeting Spirit 4-9-01 Owner-The Searchers; Trainer Jeremy Noseda; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-7/2
3RD-Anglezarke 3-8-09 Owner-David Armstrong; Trainer-David Easterby; Jockey-David Allen; SP-33/1
15 ran; Time: 59.54; Dist: ¾, 2¾
2008-WINNER-EQUIANO 3-8-12 Owner-James Acheson; Trainer-Mauricio Delcher Sanchez ESP; Jockey-Olivier Peslier;
SP 22/1
2ND-Takeover Target 9-9-04 Owner-Joe & Ben Janiak; Trainer-Joe Janiak AUS; Jockey-Jay Ford; SP-6/1
3RD-Fleeting Spirit 3-8-09 Owner-The Searchers; Trainer-Jeremy Noseda; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-15/8 Fav
13 ran, Time-59.35s, Dist: ½, nk
2007-WINNER-MISS ANDRETTI 6-9-01 Owner-Sean Buckley, Dave Mueller, Gabriella Guenzi; Trainer-Lee Freedman AUS;
Jockey-Craig Newitt; SP-3/1 Fav
2ND-Dandy Man 4-9-04 Owner-H R H Princess Haya Of Jordan; Trainer-Tracey Collins IRE; Jockey-Pat Shanahan; SP-15/2
3RD-Magnus 5-9-04 Owner-Robert Crabtree; Trainer-Peter Moody AUS; Jockey-Damien Oliver; SP-14/1
20 ran, Time-57.44s, Dist: 1¾, nk
2006-WINNER-TAKEOVER TARGET 7-9-07 Owner-Joe & Ben Janiak; Trainer-Joe Janiak AUS; Jockey-Jay Ford; SP-7/1
2ND-Benbaun 5-9-02 Owner-Ransley, Birks, Hillen; Trainer-Mark Wallace; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-16/1
3RD-Pivotal Point 6-9-02 Owner-R A Bernard; Trainer-Peter Makin; Jockey-Frankie Dettori; SP-25/1
28 ran, Time-59.79s, Dist: sh, ½ 5/1 Fav Moss Vale (8th)
2005-WINNER-CHINEUR 4-9-02 Owner-Marquesa De Moratalla; Trainer-Mikel Delzangles FR; Jockey-Christophe Lemaire;
SP-7/1
2ND-Boogie Street 4-9-02 Owner-Hippodrome Racing; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-16/1
3RD-Moss Vale 4-9-02 Owner-John C Grant & Cheveley Park Stud; Trainer-Barry Hills; Jockey-Michael Hills; SP-14/1
16 ran, Time-57-55s, Dist: 1¾, nk 11/2 Jt-Favs Var (6th) and The Tatling (7th) (run at York)
2004-WINNER-THE TATLING 7-9-02 Owner-Dab Hand Racing; Trainer-Milton Bradley; Jockey-Darryll Holland; SP-8/1
2ND-Cape Of Good Hope 6-9-02 Owner-Exors of the late R Carstairs; Trainer-David Oughton HK; Jockey-Michael Kinane;
SP-13/2
3RD-Frizzante 5-8-13 Owner-Jan Hopper & Elizabeth Grundy; Trainer-James Fanshawe; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-9/2
Fav
19 ran, Time-1m 0.16s, Dist: 1½, nk
2003-WINNER-CHOISIR 4-9-07 Owner-Terry Wallace & Partners; Trainer-Paul Perry AUS; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh;
SP-25/1
2ND-Acclamation 4-9-02 Owner-Dulford Cavaliers; Trainer-Gerald Cottrell; Jockey-Pat Eddery; SP-16/1
3RD-Oasis Dream 3-9-01 Owner-Khalid Abdullah; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-6/1 Fav
20 ran, Time-59.68s, Dist: 1, 1½
