Sharestan

Now that Sajjhaa has her 3 big wins in the Cape Verdi, Balanchine, & Jebel Hatta, my fervent hope is that Silvestre De Sousa opts to ride her in the Duty Free on world cup night after passing on riding her in the Jebel Hatta. If he does, that would likely mean William Buick or Kieren Fallon would get the ride on Sharestan in the Duty Free since Mickael Barzelona will probably be riding City Style for Mahmood Al Zarooni. Buick or Fallon either one would be fine with me because simply stated, Sharestan's been ridden like sh-t by Silvestre De Sousa in Dubai and he has too much class for that. From his early days with the Aga Khan & John Oxx in Ireland Sharestan has always shown a ton of potential. Some already seen, but most still unseen. De Sousa & Sharestan just don't seem to be jiving together at Meydan, so I think a jockey change for him in the Duty Free would likely do him a world of good. JMO.

You can always tell when it's time for the Dubai Carnival because Sheikh Mohammed always gets out that big checkbook of his and starts looting the other top stables of their top prospects for Godolphin to send to Dubai. But I must say, snatching up Sharestan from the Aga Khan was a real coup on his part, provided that Saeed Bin Suroor doesn't undo what trainer John Oxx has already done for him? How impressive was this horse in the Al Rashidiya Trial today!! First time out at Meydan and he breaks the track record for 9f barely off the bridal and wins going away by some 4 lengths under a hand ride by Silvestre De Sousa. I think Sharestan could potentially be a big player in this year's Dubai Duty Free.

Godolphin have purchased Sharestan from the Aga Khan and will possibly make his debut for the boys in blue in the upcoming Al Rashidiya Trial on opening day of the 2013 Dubai Carnival on January 10th. Sharestan's a talented 5YO son Shamardal who'd been racing in Ireland for the Aga Khan and trainer John Oxx. Sharestan won the Irish Lincolnshire Handicap, the listed Silver Stakes, and the listed Celebration Stakes in Ireland in 2012 and he also finished 2nd behind Famous Name in the Heritage Stakes and 3rd behind Windsor Palace & St Nicholas Abbey in the G3 Mooresbridge Stakes.