Shoeshine Boy

Shoeshine Boy (IRE) : 2016 bay gelding
Owner : Mousetrap Racing

Pedigree

                                                                      Nayef
                                        Valirann
                                                                      Valima
Shoeshine Boy (IRE)
2016 bay gelding
                                                                      Old Vic
                                        Godlylady
                                                                      Different Dee

The family

Shoeshine Boy is the 7th progeny of the unraced broodmare Godlylady. From a National Hunt family that traces back to such top class horses as Carvill's Hill, Samlee and Alcapone.
Closer to home though and Godlylady has bred 3 winners. Useful 8-time hurdles winner West to the Bridge (by Flemensfirth), fair winning hurdler Polymath and bumper winner/progressive 4-time hurdle winner Yes No Maybe So (by Stowaway).
She also has an unraced, 3 year old gelding by Affinisea.
Godlylady is owned by Whytemount Stud where Valirann currently stands.

Second dam, the unraced Different Dee, has proven very successful at stud with 5 of her progeny to race having won. The best of these have been the Listed Placed winning hurdler, winning chaser Barafundle and the top class Grade 1 gelding Flemenstar, a multiple winner over fences.
Craig Star, a standing dish in staying handicap hurdles in the North these past few seasons, is also one of her sons.

About the sire

The Aga Khan bred and owned Valirann (bay horse born 2010) was unraced as a 2 year old but reach high class standard in his five races as a 3 year old when trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre. He was beaten a short head on debut but then reeled off a 4-timer. The last two of these were victories in Group 2 and Group 3 staying events at Longchamp.
Timeform rated 112p, this well bred, workmanlike type is a half brother to the ill-fated 2012 Prix de Diane winner Valyra plus a further couple of black type horses.
Valirann was retired to stand at Whytemount Stud in Ireland in 2015 and had books of over 100 mares in each of his first few seasons there. He now has over 30 individual winners, and stands for 2024 at a fee of €2,000.
His 3 year olds continue to be generally well received at the NH Store Sales in Ireland and Britain with a top price of €155,000 paid by Paul Nicholls for one of his sons in 2019. This was Grade 2 winning hurdler Knapper Hill and Panda Boy is another very useful hurdler.

Form Summary

Season 2024-25 outlook

What a season Shoeshine Boy in 2023-24.

He ran in staying handicap hurdles 7 times, placed in 5 of these including a couple of victories at Ayr and his owners Mousetrap Racing's local track Kelso.
Shoeshine Boy started last season on a mark of OR103 and finished the season on OR107, which is quite remarkable given his record. But he is a very game horse, more so that is his battling nature that comes to the fore in a finish - he's never won by more than ½ length, so it's hard for the handicapper to punish him severely for winning.
Callum and jockey Craig Nichol may disagree of course, but we're in the camp of "fantastic fun horse for handicaps" and give all credit to "Theo".

Season 2024-25 will bring more of the same in terms of race targets; 0-125/130 race bands with a bit of give in the ground.
So, we reckon the lads of Mousetrap Racing will have another exciting season in staying handicap hurdles with this lad.

Profile....
There's little doubt that our most successful horse bought at the annual Tattersalls Ireland August NH Store Sales has been Keyboard Gangster. Snapped up for €4,600 in 2014 by The Buyers Club, that syndicate returned to the same venue in 2018 to acquire Stolen Money. CEO of The Buyers Club, 'Mouse' Young has clearly been buoyed by the experience of horse syndication and with a group of prospective Hawick likely lads lined up, he once again scoured the catalogue and horseflesh at the Tattersalls Ireland August NH Store Sales in 2019 with an eye for a young horse to bring home.
And so to Day 1 of the sale, when a Valirann gelding with an attractive NH pedigree came up. This fellow was quite raw, backward and lean on appearance so despite being a half brother to a couple of recent winners, Mark was able to pick him up for a minimum bid. In fact, on closer inspection this is a very good National Hunt pedigree from a family of high class winners - Flemenstar to name but one. But even closer up in his pedigree are a couple of multiple winning half brothers in the useful West To The Bridge and fairly useful Yes No Maybe So.
Shoeshine Boy's gained valuable experience in initial runs in bumper and novice hurdles during his first couple of seasons in training, as he matured both mentally and physically. Handicap hurdling though was the making of Shoeshine Boy, as after a run for four runner up spots he won in the April of the 2021-22 season over 3 miles at Ayr and the following season won a 3 mile hdcp hurdle at Carlisle.

Season		win	2nd	3rd	4th	other
2020-21	NH Flat					2
2021-22	Hurdles	1	4			3
2022-23	Hurdles	1	2	1		4
2023-24	Hurdles	2	2		1	2
2024-25	Hurdles	1		1		3

Current Season Form

11 February 25 Ayr : 3m ½f Handicap Hurdle (Class 4 0-110) OR108 soft 13 ran (Craig Nichol) - 5th (beaten 18¼l)

In touch, headway after 8th, pressed leader after 4 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened approaching last

He's run his normal genuine race but is in the grips of the handicapper at the moment.

21 January 25 Ayr : 3m ½f Handicap Hurdle (Class 4 0-120) OR109 soft 9 ran (Murray Dodd (7)) - 6th (beaten 11¼l)

Prominent on outside, ridden 3 out but outpaced, weakened from 2 out

He's probably a couple of pounds too high in the handicap to be truly competitive. That's the penalty paid for winning first time out this season (!). He'll come on for this though so maybe something similar before the summer.

15 December 24 Carlisle : 3m 1f Handicap hurdle (Class 2) OR 111 soft (heavy places) 9 ran (Murray Dodd (7)) - 5th (beaten 18l)

Tracked leader, in leading group 3 out, led 2 out but hard pressed, weakened last

Shoeshine Boy has run a fine race here in a more competitive grade than normal. Jumping well, up with the pace, he had every chance after 2 out with a slight lead but was headed and weakened approaching the last. Strong pace throughout and the front runners didn't see the race out.

2 November 24 Ayr : 3m ½f Handicap Hurdle (Class 3 0-140) OR109 good 6 ran (Murray Dodd (7)) - 3rd (beaten 16l)

Prominent, pushed along turning for home, one pace run-in

With the ground drying up in the Autumn, and a surprising dearth of suitable staying hurdles opportunities in the North, Shoeshine Boy took his chance here on ground that was faster then his optimum. Ran quite well but he couldn't keep pace with the front two from 2 out.

12 October 24 Hexham : 2m 7½f Hdcp Hurdle (Class 3 0-130) OR106 soft 8 ran (Murray Dodd (7)) - won (by a nose)

Waited with in touch, ridden along and headway 3 out, chased leader 2 out, led last and battled hard to just hold on, all out

Shoeshine Boy ran a great race in this event last year, finishing second again on his season opener. Carrying 3lb more, before Murray's 7lb allowance is taken into consideration, he won this in game fashion by the minimum margin. A consistent type, he may be a bit exposed but goes well on soft ground.

Previous Season Form

19 April 24 Ayr : 3m ½f Handicap Hurdle (Class 3 0-125) OR107 soft 16 ran (Craig Nichol) - 5th (beaten 5¾l)

Settled in touch, ridden before straight, rallied 2 out, held run-in

The early pace in this Class 3 staying handicap was less frantic than what he faced at Haydock last time, and Shoeshine Boy was able to settle nicely on the outer. He battled on bravely from 2 out but just couldn't quite reach a place. Seemed like a PB to us though.

30 March 24 Haydock : 3m ½f Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) OR107 good to soft 12 ran (Craig Nichol) - 5th (beaten 13¾l)

Held up, some headway out wide after 4 out, no further impression

The final of the Challenger Stayers Series. The initial pace in the Class 2 handicap was fairly fast and Shoeshine Boy wasn't able to obtain his normal prominent position.

10 March 24 Kelso : 3m 2f Handicap Hurdle (Class 3 0-125) OR104 soft 9 ran (Craig Nichol) - won (by ½l)

Chased leaders, led after 2 out, ridden approaching last, driven out

Shoeshine Boy is in the form of his life but was all out in following up from an Ayr victory off a 3 lb higher mark.

13 February 24 Ayr : 3m ½f Handicap Hurdle (Class 4 0-110) OR101 heavy 13 ran (Craig Nichol) - won (by ¾l)

Close up, effort 3 out, challenged next, edged ahead soon after last, kept on well

Shoeshine Boy made it 2 wins at Ayr (plus a short head runner up) from 3 appearances with a trademark battling performance. There were 4 in with every chance jumping the last, and a 5th finished fast too, so this was a very exciting finish from a horse who continues to thrill Mousetrap Racing.

30 December 23 Haydock : 3m ½f Cond'l Jockeys Hdcp Hurdle (Class 4 0-115) OR103 heavy 6 ran (Fergus Gillard) - 4th (beaten 37¾l)

Tracked leader, hit 5 out, driven along after next, lost touch with leaders 3 out, weakened over last.

The normally consistent Shoeshine Boy was not at his best here and after a mistake 5 from home, seemed to be struggling. Not the only one of our string to run similarly in recent days so we'll check him out this week.

11 November 23 Kelso : 3m 2f Handicap Hurdle (Class 3 0-125) OR103 soft 9 ran (Craig Nichol) - 2nd (beaten 3¾l)

Tracked leaders, effort 2 out, soon driven along, challenged winner and every chance last but not quicken

Shoeshine Boy is clearly in good order and ran his usual fine race although he just couldn't find any extra over the last. He stuck on gamely however, but just couldn't get on top of Butler's Brief. That's three Class 3 runner up spots in succession beaten by less than an accumulative 10 lengths......

14 October 23 Hexham : 2m 7½f Hdcp Hurdle (Class 3 0-130) OR103 soft 5 ran (Craig Nichol) - 2nd (beaten ¾l)

Led main group 20l behind clear leader, took closer order 3 out, led 2 out, headed after last, no extra.

A personal best from Shoeshine Boy on his season opener, beaten only Our Sam who was fit from summer hurdling. Clear daylight back to the rest who were a mixture of out of sorts, non-stayers and unsuited by ground types. Hope the handicapper doesn't take the form too literally or we're cooked.

27 April 23 Perth : 3m 2f Handicap hurdle (Class 3 0-130) OR 104 good to soft 7 ran (D McMenamin) - 2nd (beaten 4¾l)

Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, challenged long time leader appr last, not fluent, not quicken run-in

Up in the weights, 1 lb out of the handicap, up in class, and his regular partner (Craig) injured the day before but Danny rode a fine race and Shoeshine Boy turned in another very good performance. Just couldn't quite peg back the Moffat-Charlotte Burbank who made all.........

8 April 23 Carlisle : 3m 1f Handicap hurdle (Class 4 0-120) OR 100 good to soft 8 ran (C Nichol) - won (by ½l)

Mid division, headway 2 out, led last, driven out and always just holding runner-up

A fine victory for Shoeshine Boy after his disappointing effort at Musselburgh last time. He stayed on well up the hill here and the form represents a personal best for the gelding.

24 March 23 Musselburgh : 3m Hdcp Hurdle (Class 2 0-120) OR102 good to soft 15 ran (Craig Nichol) - 10th (beaten 22½l)

Mid division, ridden along 5 out and soon chasing leaders, weakened from 3 out.

This was a valuable Go North Final and we feel we ran Shoeshine Boy too quickly after his effort in the mud at Hexham 8 days prior.

16 March 23 Hexham : 2m 7½f Hdcp Hurdle (Class 5 0-105) OR102 heavy 15 ran (Craig Nichol) - 5th (beaten 4¾l)

Prominent, pushed along 2 out, weakened approaching last.

Shoeshine Boy ran well for a long way here, showing he was none the worse for a minor injury picked up last time at Newcastle. May just prefer slightly lest testing ground.

31 January 23 Newcastle : 2m 6f Cond'l Jock Hdcp Hurdle (Class 5 0-100) OR102 soft 15 ran (Lewis Dobb(5)) - U.R. 3rd

Mid division when blundered and unseated rider 3rd.

Shoeshine Boy started favourite here in what seemed like a competitive event but young Lewis had no chance of staying in the plate when our gelding stumbled at the 3rd. He returned with a small cut so will need a few more weeks than usual to recover.

27 December 22 Wetherby : 3m Handicap Hurdle (Class 5 0-100) OR98 good to soft 18 ran (Lewis Dobb(5)) - 2nd (beaten 1½l)

Close up, going well 3 out, disputed lead 2 out till after last, not pace of winner but kept on.

This may only have been a 0-100 basement event but the form is rock solid. The first six were fancied coming into the race and all ran well (19 lengths back to the 7th horse). Shoeshine Boy probably recorded a personal best and he's a fantastic fun horse for Mousetrap Racing.

24 November 22 Kelso : 3m 2f Handicap Hurdle (Class 4 0-120) OR99 soft 10 ran (Craig Nichol) - 3rd (beaten 11¾l)

Close up, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, kept on but no impression on first two

Shoeshine Boy held every chance on exiting the back straight for the final time but couldn't quite match the pace of Hoganville and You Some Boy. Still he shows he's in good heart so we'll hope to fine something soon, maybe dropping back a little in trip.

22 October 22 Kelso : 3m 2f Handicap Hurdle (Class 4 0-110) OR100 good to soft 13 ran (Bruce Lynn) - 10th (beaten 12l)

Mid division till dropped towards rear halfway but still in touch, effort 3 out but never able to challenge leaders

The ground was a bit faster than 'Theo' prefers and there was no great pace on in this race. Faced with a wall of horses 3 out, our gelding was unable to make any progress into a challenging position. He'll be better for the race though.

12 April 22 Ayr : 3m ½f Handicap Hurdle (Class 5 0-105) OR96 soft 10 ran (Craig Nichol) - won (by a nose)

Close up, challenged leader in close 2nd after 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on well to lead on post

What a performance from 'Theo' under a first class ride from Craig. He delivered the gelding to lead under the shadow of the post. There's no doubt the 2 hours of rain beforehand was in his favour. Finished clear of 3rd so we're holding our breath for another rise in the handicap.

12 March 22 Ayr : 3m ½f Handicap Hurdle (Class 4 0-110) OR92 soft 8 ran (Craig Nichol) - 2nd (beaten sh hd)

Prom in chasing group of clear leader, effort to close after 4 out, disputed lead after 3 out, driven to lead 2 out, headed last, stayed on again, just failed

This was a distinct improvement in form here by 'Theo' but unfortunately his foe (Don Brocco) from Carlisle also improved and prevailed by a short head despite a 2lb turn around at the weights. On the bright side, Shoeshine Boy is thriving for racing and is still just a 6 year old.

21 February 22 Carlisle : 3m 1f Handicap hurdle (Class 5 0-105) OR 90 soft 12 ran (C Nichol) - 2nd (beaten 1l)

Mid division, not much room and outpaced after 3 out, ridden 2 out to challenge last, switched right inside final furlong, stayed on but always held

First go at 3 miles for Shoeshine Boy but was a little unlucky in that he met trouble in running more than once! Jumping is getting better and this staying trip has seen his form improve too. We'll look for something similar.

26 December 21 Sedgefield : 2m 4f handicap hurdle (Class 5 0-100) OR 90 soft 9 ran (Brian Hughes) - 2nd (beaten 4l)

Mid division on outer, ran in snatches, ridden to challenge after 3 out, outpaced from 2 out, stayed on from last

Shoeshine Boy ran with a great deal of credit here, confirming the improvement shown last time. He had no answer to the acceleration of the winner Caitlin Dearg when she pulled clear 2 out. He kept on though and again ran as if he would be suited by further.

17 November 21 Hexham : 2m 4f handicap hurdle (Class 5 0-100) OR 88 good to soft 9 ran (Craig Nichol) - 2nd (beaten nk)

Prominent, not always fluent, ridden and outpaced 2 out, driven strongly approaching last, kept on well flat but just failed to catch winner

Oh so near. Shoeshine Boy appreciated the drop in class and extra half mile here to show improved form. Passing the favourite Golan Cloud on the run in he couldn't quite catch Shoughall's Boy near the line. Softer ground and a bit further will suit.

23 October 21 Kelso : 2m novice hurdle (Class 4) good 11 ran (Craig Nichol) - 7th (beaten 33¼l)

Always in rear, never dangerous

This was a race that was won as soon as the flag fell, for Corrigeen Rock went from the get-go and wasn't headed. Which left a mountain to climb for most of the rest of the field. Still, Shoeshine Boy should now be handicapped and be better suited by staying trips. .

23 September 21 Perth : 2m novice hurdle (Class 4) good to soft 9 ran (Craig Nichol) - 5th (beaten 48½l)

In rear, outpaced and ridden approaching 3 out, not fluent, but some late headway from 2 out without being near leading group

Shoeshine Boy kicked off his season with a reasonable run in this fair novice hurdle. Realistically he will be competitive once handicapped in small staying hurdles in the North. But apart from a couple of tired leaps late on, his jumping gave connections promise for the future.

1 May 21 Hexham : 2m novice hurdle (Class 4) good to soft 11 ran (Craig Nichol) - 6th (beaten 27½l)

Rear of mid division, some late headway approaching last

He'll be aimed at handicap hurdles in season 2021-22, so this was a good introduction to jumping for Shoeshine Boy. Off to summer grass next.

31 March 21 Hexham : 2m NH Flat (Class 4) good to soft (good in places) 9 ran (B Garritty (3)) - 5th (beaten 11½l)

Tracked leaders, outpaced and ridden 3f out, kept on final furlong but not reach leaders

Quite a promising run from Shoeshine Boy. He couldn't match the pace of the leaders in a slowly run race but showed a nice attitude in running on to the line. He'll next appear in novice hurdles.

22 January 21 Musselburgh : 1m 7½f NH Flat (Class 4) soft 10 ran (B Campbell (3)) - 7th (beaten 24l)

Tracked leaders, prominent but ridden 4f out, no impression final 3f

Racecourse debut for Shoeshine Boy and he acquitted himself quite well. Although outpaced into the home straight he kept on in game fashion right to the line.