Shahtoush is a bay mare with a small white star[1] bred in Ireland by a partnership between the Barronstown Stud and Ron Con Ltd. She was sired by Alzao, a son of Lyphard who never won above Group Three level, but became a successful breeding stallion,[2] his progeny including Maraahel (Hardwicke Stakes), Second Set and Alborada.

[9] On her three-year-old debut, Shahtoush started evens favourite for the April Fillies' Stakes at the Curragh She was rated fifteen pounds superior to her opponents[10] and recorded a predictably easy three and a half length win.

Shahtoush was expected to be a leading contender for the Irish 1,000 Guineas three weeks later, starting 5/1 third favourite, but ran poorly, weakening in the closing stages to finish tenth behind Tarascon.

With Cape Verdi aimed at the Derby, the Henry Cecil-trained Midnight Line was made favourite for the Oaks ahead of Godolphin's Musidora Stakes winner Bahr, with Shahtoush starting at odds of 12/1.

Kinane restrained the Irish filly in the early stages before moving forward in the straight and accelerating past Midnight Line and Bahr a furlong from the finish.

[11] Shahtoush's finishing burst appeared to catch Bahr's jockey Frankie Dettori by surprise and Kinane's ride on the winner was described as a "tactical masterclass" by The Independent.

[12] Aidan O'Brien, who was winning the Oaks with his first ever runner at the course, explained Shahtoush's improvement by stating that she had been unable to show her best on firm ground in her previous race.

After briefly challenging the leaders she weakened and finished a remote fifth of the six runners behind the unbeaten Catchascatchcan, having been eased down in the closing stages by Kinane, who reported that the filly was unsuited by the firm ground.