Trainer Henry Dwyer issued an unusual “thank you” from the winner’s circle at Longchamp on Sunday after his Australian champion Asfoora won the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye on the undercard at the Arc de Triomphe.

“Thank you to the Uber driver!” Dwyer exclaimed.

Dwyer said that upon arriving at Longchamp, the team realized they had forgotten Asfoora’s passport back at Amy Murphy’s yard in Chantilly. Instead, Dwyer’s team had brought the passport of a horse purchased at Arqana the day before.

Luckily, Murphy contacted Francis Graffard’s assistant back in Chantilly, who was able to hand the correct passport off to an Uber driver, who made it to Longchamp with 90 seconds to spare.

Dwyer refused to share the blame with anyone else, telling racing.com: “It was the silly Australian trainer who didn’t know which passport to bring.

“It’s just surreal really. We were within a minute and a half of not running – I had the Uber driver on a retainer of £200 to get it here in time.

“I’ve driven back and forward from Chantilly to Longchamp four times in the last three days and it’s never taken me shorter than an hour. He did it in 52 minutes.”

After Asfoora won the race, Dwyer shared the screenshot of the Uber X bill on social media, quipping: “If he reads this, he’s welcome to join our party tonight!”

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Ridden by Oisin Murphy, the 7-year-old mare was sent off the 9-4 favorite to win her second Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series race after landing the Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) at York in August.

Though she had been beaten in Ireland since her York triumph, Asfoora bounced back in style. Quickly secured a handy position on the inside of the 19-runner field, she travelled strongly throughout and hit the front in the final furlong, holding off a late challenge from Jawwal, who took second.

“Racing, like life, is about experiences — about trying new things and living new adventures,” said Dwyer. “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.”

On future plans, Dwyer said: “She was entered in the Sceptre sale at the end of the year with Tattersalls, but at the last-minute Akram (El-Fahkri of Noor Elaine Farm Pty Ltd, owner) decided he’d prefer to race her on.”

Asfoora completed the five-furlong contest in :56.39 to earn an automatic berth in the $1 million Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1).

This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Oct 6, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here.