Dwyer not feeling the pressure as Asfoora defends Ascot title

Some in Dwyer’s homeland had scoffed at his ambition to join compatriots like Paul Perry, Chris Waller and Peter Moody on the Royal Ascot roll of honour.

However, Dwyer had spotted a vacancy at the top of the European sprinting scene and he was not let down by his horse of a lifetime, who provided the Ballarat handler with the ultimate thrill when storming to King Charles III Stakes glory.

“It was completely bonkers, just madness and I was very nervous before the race as it was the biggest day of my racing life,” said Dwyer.

“I train horses in Australia, I’ve got 40-odd horses and won a couple of Group Ones, but that whole thing about travelling a horse and the risk and reward factor brought a lot of pressure.

“A lot of people in Australia thought we were ill-founded coming over here and it was more relief when she won. I didn’t care if she won, lost or drew as long as she didn’t embarrass herself and it was just important she ran well.

“As they walked into the gates I was, for want of a better phrase, s******* myself. Thankfully she ran well and at the 200-metre mark when she ran past us in the grandstand, she was clearly going to win and that’s the last I saw of the race.

“I had 30 people jumping on top of me cheering and I didn’t get chance to even see the last part of the race until half an hour after when I watched the replay and it was just an extraordinary moment.”

After embarking on a mammoth 40-hour return journey to the UK encompassing Hong Kong, Doha and the glamorous end destination of Stansted, Asfoora and her charismatic handler are embracing being back in their second home at Southgate Stables on Newmarket’s Hamilton Road.

And if Asfoora were to become the first horse trained outside Europe to win the same race at consecutive Royal meetings, then it would give Dwyer the opportunity to meet the King again after his crash course in royal protocol last year.

Dwyer explained: “I had a chat with the King before the race which was completely unscripted and I had no etiquette lessons beforehand, so it was very unannounced and I was very unaware. I would have loved an etiquette lesson as I had no idea what to call him and the rest, but we had a good chat.

“He asked me about the horse and I said ‘this is an amazing experience meeting you Sir, but I would love to be speaking to you again after the race picking up the trophy’. He said ‘let’s see if we can make that happen’ and then afterwards he had a big smile as he said ‘I told you I could make this happen’ and it was an amazing life experience.

“Racing takes you all round the world and introduces you to so many new people and that’s one of the amazing things about the sport. It’s not all about winning, it’s about the memories and meeting new people along the way and I guess the King is not someone I expected to meet, but there we are!”

It is 22 years since Paul Perry and Choisir opened the floodgates for raiders from the southern hemisphere and although Dwyer joined some of Australia’s most decorated names when striking at Europe’s showpiece meeting, it is his stock in the northern hemisphere that has risen rather than at home.

“I’ve met a lot of great people over here and I’ve got a number of owners from Europe now,” explained Dwyer.

“I think people over here have seen me have one runner and one winner at Royal Ascot and have me down as a John Gosden, but at home it’s a one swallow doesn’t make a summer scenario.

“I train 45 horses and it is what it is. We don’t really want many more than that and we enjoy having a nice, boutique stable without driving ourselves mad and Asfoora is obviously the flagbearer.”

With preparations complete, Dwyer can now embrace his star performer’s bid for Ascot immortality safe in the knowledge no one can erase the memories of 12 months ago.

“I feel like there is less pressure this year as she has been there and done it,” said Dwyer.

“It’s an expensive trip and there’s huge costs involved, but she was able to repay us last year and the money is in the bank now. This year is a bonus, she owes us nothing and we’re just here for the experience and the fun of it.

“The novelty may have worn off a little bit, but there’s still a job to be done and she seems well. We’re happy with with her and hopefully she runs well.”