It has been the summer time of a lifetime for Chenelle Ellis, the fortunate member of Henry Dwyer’s employees chosen to accompany her “greatest good friend” Asfoora on her European journey.
The Australian ace and her partaking connections have captured the hearts of the racing public with their need to get pleasure from each step of their star mare’s journey to the opposite facet of the globe.
Joyous scenes following Royal Ascot glory within the King Charles III Stakes had been adopted by sporting drinks in defeat following a titanic battle with Large Evs within the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood.
Proper by her facet from the very first second tAsfoora touched down within the UK has been Ellis, her ever-loyal groom, who has escaped the Australian winter to enjoy her delight and pleasure’s abroad triumphs and tribulations.
Asfoora being led in by Ellis after profitable at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)
“It’s been completely wonderful since we’ve introduced her over right here, she’s been unreal and I’m so pleased and pleased with her,” stated Ellis.
“When Henry requested me to return over it was a no brainer to say sure. If I wasn’t right here I’d be spending the winter in Ballarat within the freezing chilly and moist – I’d a lot quite be right here.
“The summer time right here has been good, and it simply makes it so significantly better when you’ve got a horse who has been aggressive in these nice races.
“I really like being right here and love doing her within the morning, I are available in and get to spend 4 or 5 hours along with her and he or she’s like my greatest good friend in the meanwhile – we’re caught with one another.”
She went on: “I receives a commission to do that and to suppose I grew up with ponies and sorted ponies and also you needed to pay to try this.
“To be over right here with a horse like her has simply been unreal. I’m so grateful to Henry and the proprietor for entrusting me along with her.”
After the agonising close to miss of Goodwood, Asfoora’s rematch with Large Evs at York within the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes may unlock additional worldwide journey for Ellis and her equine confederate later within the yr – with each seemingly eager to increase their time away from residence so long as potential.
The Curragh’s Flying 5 Stakes, the Prix de l’Abbaye at ParisLongchamp and a mouthwatering swansong on the Breeders’ Cup have all been mooted as potentialities for the Southern Hemisphere speedster, however Ellis is eager to see Asfoora return to profitable methods at York earlier than dreaming of extra stamps in her passport.
Asfoora having a decide of grass with Ellis in Newmarket (Adam Morgan/PA)
“I’m trying ahead to York,” stated Ellis. “We’re very pleased and he or she’s in an excellent spot going into York.
“I’m not too positive the place she’ll go after York, however she may go to Eire then again to Australia or to France after which to America.
“Both approach, it will be a tremendous journey. To go to Eire can be unreal and to go to France and the US can be precisely the identical.
“Whichever approach she goes, I’m so grateful for her. It’s been the journey of a lifetime and you may’t flip your nostril up at any of it.”
Asfoora again on the observe this morning @NewmarketGallop with a beautiful 800m gallop underneath @lemosdesouza1 🇧🇷
Spot on for the G1 @coolmorestud Nunthorpe Stakes @yorkracecourse 23/8 ⏱️🍒🏇💨
🎥 @catelliott74 pic.twitter.com/mfwUYwDWKG
— Henry Dwyer Racing (@HDwyerRacing) August 13, 2024
Asfoora has been primarily based at Amy Murphy’s Southgate Stables in Newmarket since arriving within the UK and much from being the momentary tenants from abroad, each the star mare and Ellis turning into a part of the furnishings on the Hamilton Highway setup.
It was Murphy who took care of Asfoora within the aftermath of her Royal Ascot triumph so Ellis may be a part of the remainder of the victorious connections on the winners podium, whereas she has been capable of name on the knowledgeable help of Murphy’s husband and former jockey Lemos De Sousa to assist put Afsoora by way of her paces on the Newmarket gallops occasionally.
“We’ve been very fortunate to be stabled with Amy Murphy and her husband Lemos has helped and carried out just a few gallops along with her and we’ve additionally had Oisin in,” Ellis defined.
“I’ve carried out the vast majority of the work along with her, however I’ve had some assist alongside the way in which which makes a distinction and we’re very grateful.”
King Charles III congratulating Chenelle Ellis after Asfoora’s victory (Jonathan Brady/PA)
Reflecting on that day at Ascot, the place Asfoora added her title to the ever-growing listing of Antipodean raiders to style success on the Royal assembly, it’s clear Ellis made reminiscences to final a lifetime.
Nevertheless, assembly royalty and main in a Group One winner on the large stage wouldn’t be potential with out the keen mare that’s so typically by her facet.
“To go to Ascot – the expertise, the ambiance, it was simply unreal,” added Ellis.
“Lots of people have requested me what the spotlight of the day was, but it surely simply needs to be her profitable. We wouldn’t have had the day we had if she hadn’t received.
“Simply to be there was wonderful, to see the King and Queen was wonderful however for her to return out and win the way in which that she did, she was so dominant. The entire day was nice.”
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