Wayne Rooney, John O'Shea buy colt

Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney and Sunderland defender John O'Shea have teamed up to buy a majority share in an as-yet-unnamed Dutch Art colt.

The footballing pair made the purchase of the two-year-old, who is trained by Middleham handler Julie Burke, in a deal brokered by Julian Williams.

The trainer's husband, Karl, told the Daily Mail: "He's a really nice colt and he'll be ready to go in about two or three weeks."

Earlier this month, Rooney's debut runner, Pippy, finished last in a field of eight on its first outing in the Lily Agnes Stakes at Chester.