Sharestan grinds out listed success

Sharestan landed his first listed victory when getting the better of front-running Defining Year in the Coolmore Stud China Ireland Friendship Silver Srakes at the Curragh yesterday.

Backed into 8/11 favouritism, the Aga Khan-owned Shamardal colt had to work hard under Niall McCullagh (deputising for the suspended Johnny Murtagh) to triumph by a half-length.

Arelieved trainer John Oxx commented: “The ground is testing, very gluey, out there. It was nothing spectacular — he just managed to grind it out. There’s a limit to his stamina and he won’t run again over that trip in testing ground. He’d probably be better dropping back in distance and, ideally, nine furlongs is probably his best trip.”