Shalaa is a bay colt with a narrow white blaze bred by the County Cork-based Mogeely Stud.

[4] Ghurra was a descendant of the broodmare Moonstone, making her a distant relative of Nocturnal Spree, Moonax and the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Even Star.

The colt made his debut in a six furlong race at Newbury Racecourse on 16 May and started the 7/2 second favourite in a field which included five previous winners.

Two weeks later he contested a maiden race over the same distance at Newmarket Racecourse and recorded his first success, taking the lead a furlong out and winning by two lengths from Fang.

He was ridden by Robert Havlin as Dettori was partnering the more fancied Eltezam who was made co-favourite alongside Areen and Steady Pace (second and third in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot).

Shala tracked the leaders before taking the lead approaching the final furlong and prevailed by a length from Steady Pace despite veering sharply to the left in the closing stages.

[10] Dettori was back in the saddle when the colt started 11/8 favourite for the Group Two Richmond Stakes at Goodwood Racecourse on 30 July.

"[12] On his next appearance, Shalaa was sent to France and moved up to Group One level for the Prix Morny over 1200 metres at Deauville Racecourse on 23 August.

Shalaa and Gutaifan disputed the lead before the favourite moved away from his rival in the last 200 metres to win by one and three quarter lengths.

He held off the late challenge of Buratino to win by half a length, with Steady Pace staying on to take third ahead of Ajaya.

On 15 April however it was announced that the colt had sustained a pelvic injury in a routine training gallop and would miss the first half of the season.