Dali Mail

Dali Mail : 2013 roan gelding
Owner : Mrs. John Mackin

Pedigree

                                                                      Mujadil
                                        Satri (IRE)
                                                                      Laramie
Dali Mail (FR)
2013 roan gelding
                                                                      Medaaly
                                        Queenly Mail (FR)
                                                                      Favilla Mail

The family

An excellent French family.
The dam, Queenly Mail, was placed at 2 on the flat in France, and has produced 5 foals to date. Dali Mail is the second produce, but the year older Chez Castel Mail (by My Risk) has won a bumper, and been placed twice from 4 outings. She also has Elvis Mail, a year younger Great Pretender gelding with Nick Alexander - bumper placed/4-time winning hurdler - Finella Mail (b 2015) in training in France, Ginger Mail (b 2016) also in training with Kinneston Nick, a Zanzibari filly (b 2017), a Night Wish colt (b 2018) and in 2020 a colt by Kingfisher.
The second dam has bred 6 winners from 7 progeny, including :
- True Love Mail (by Great Pretender) was a 5-time winning mare over Jumps in France, including a Listed hurdle.
- Kestrel Mail (by Cricket Ball), another mare, was a hardy performer on the Level and over Jumps in France, winning 10 times (and placed on a further 33 occasions), and followed up with 4 wins over Jumps.
- Rockstar Mail had 3 wins over Jumps & 3 wins on the Flat in France.
- Uptown Girl Mail a winner over Jumps in France in 2016.

About the sire

Having been picked up for €46,000 at the Goffs France sale in April 2004, it was just over a year later that Satri (bay horse, born 2002) began his racing career as a 3yr old under the guidance of French trainer Jean-Marie Beguigne. He raced 6 times that season, never out of the first three and ended by winning a handicap over 1 mile.
However, at 4 he developed into a high class miler winning twice, including the Group 3 Prix du Paris Royal at Longchamp. Satri continued to run consistently well in Stakes Races thereafter at 4 and 5, recording several places to his credit.
He has a couple of illustrious siblings in Latice (French Oaks) and Lawman (French Derby). Having raced exclusively in France throughout his career, Satri was retired in 2008 to the Haras de la Hetraie stud where he stood mainly for the next 7 years.
From limited opportunities, Satri has had a few winners under Flat & NH Rules, the best being Grade 1 placed chaser/winning hurdler Square Beaujon, and winning hurdler/chasers Madness Light and Square Viviani.

Form Summary

Season 2020-21 outlook
Season 2019-20 saw this likeable gelding continue to progress. After a fine 3rd over hurdles to top subsequent Fighting Fifth winner Cornerstone Lad, he won first time out over fences at Newcastle in December. Travelling well when falling 4 out next time at Ayr was a blow and he wasn't right on his final run in a handicap at Kelso in February. That problem was identified and he was on track for another run in April before lockdown measures came in.
2 mile handicap chasing is very much on the cards this season for Dali Mail and the 135-rated gelding looks sure to give owners John & Nicola Mackin lots more fun.

Previously....
It was mid afternoon at the Goffs UK (formerly Doncaster Bloodstock) National Hunt May Stores Sale that we noticed this handsome, athletic gelding in the pre sales paddock. A roan gelding would naturally stand out in any crowd of horses, but this fellow stood 16.3hh and had such an excellent stride about him, with powerful conformation that he positively glowed in comparison to his fellow prospective sales items. So, to follow him into the ring to see how much he would make, seemed the natural thing to do. Despite a big build up, and startling summary of the gelding's presence in the ring, auctioneer Stanners could not entice the bidders to break through the vendor's reserve of £15,000.
The catalogue did not bring any additional facts to bare, as although packed with winners in each of the generations on show, this was an out and out French pedigree with no familiar names to reflect upon.
Upon following the Satri gelding back to his box, the vendors were amenable to allowing a closer inspection of the gelding and with some tight negotiations on both sides, a deal was struck and the gelding was on his way back to Dodlands Steading.
'Zidane' (the boys named him after the grey-haired French World Cup midfield genius) had clearly been very well handled by vendor Willie Murdoch who bought him as a foal in France in 2013, and although un-broken, had been prepared for the sales in superb condition. Dali Mail soon settled into the stable. He eats well, and is no bother at all to muck out - doesn't make him run any faster, but it does make him a likeable sort around the team.
After initial education Dali Mail went into full training in November 2016, and then made just one appearance in 2016-17, placing 4th in a Newcastle bumper in February.
His seasonal debut in 2017-18 came in another bumper at Kelso in January, running well to finish 3rd and that promise was fulfilled a month later at the same track when he ran out an 18 lengths winner. He finished off by running well for a long way in the Aintree Grade 2 bumper in April, before weakening over a furlong out.
Dali Mail had 3 outings over hurdles in 2018-19, winning first time out and he followed up with 2 runner up slots. Three very fine runs.

Season		win	2nd	3rd	4th	other
2016-17	NH Flat				1
2017-18	NH Flat	1		1		1
2018-19	Hurdles	1	2
2019-20	Hurdles			1
2019-20	Chases	1				2
2020-21	Chases		1		2	1

Current Season Form

3 April 21 Carlisle : 2m Handicap Chase (Class 3 0-135) OR 132 good to soft (good in places) 7 ran (Callum Bewley) - fell 3 out

Held up, effort to close on leaders after 4 out, fell heavily 3 out

Sadly, Dali Mail suffered a fatal fall here.

1 March 21 Ayr : 2m ½f Handicap Chase (Class 3 0-140) OR130 soft 6 ran (C Bewley) - 2nd (beaten 1¾l)

Held up, headway when hit 5 out, soon recovered, tracking ldrs when left in lead 4 out, went 3l clear next, pressed last, headed and not quicken run-in

This was a very fine run from the grey. Jumping tidily if not spectacularly until a mistake down the back straight but Callum soon had him back on an even keel. He looked the winner over the 2nd last but the concession of 19lb to Ardera Cross just proved too much.

5 December 19 Aintree : 2m 4f Hdcp Chase (Class 3 0-135) OR133 soft 9 ran (C Bewley) - 4th (beaten 13¼l)

Waited with in rear, headway to chase leadrs after 3 out, ridden 2 out, no impression on first 2 but kept on run-in despite not clr run near finish

This was a step up in trip for Dali Mail and he has run well. He jumped well in this class of handicap but just didn't quite have the pace to challenge the leading pair after 3 out. Just his 5th run over fences so we hope he can still improve a little.

9 November 20 Carlisle : 2m Graduation Chase (Class 2) heavy 6 ran (Callum Bewley) - 4th (beaten 22½l)

Held up tracking leaders, took closer order after 4 out, chased along 3 out, not pace of first three, weakened after 2 out

First outing of the season for our grey and this was a race of some quality. Grade 1 winning chaser Esprit du Large could only manage 3rd and Dali Mail was giving weight to all bar that horse. He jumped with renewed confidence which he will look to carry forward to 2m handicaps on flat tracks.

Previous Season Form

29 February 20 Kelso : 2m 1f Novices' Handicap Chase (Class 3 0-135) OR136 heavy 8 ran (C Whillans (3)) - 6th (Beaten 51l)

Held up in rear, mistakes 1st and 7th, good headway to track leaders 3 out, no extra 2 out, weakened appr last

A well below par from our novice chaser. After his fall last time, he made a couple of mistakes but his jumping otherwise stood up. Looking to have every chance 3 out, he dropped quickly out of contention soon after.

19 January 20 Ayr : 2m ½f Novices' Chase (Class 4) heavy 5 ran (C Whillans (3)) - fell 4 out

Tracked leader, not fluent 5 out, soon led, joined but going easily when fell 4 out

Well, that's racing.............

12 December 19 Newcastle : 2m ½f Novices' Chase (Class 3) soft 5 ran (C Whillans (3)) - won (by 1½l)

Held up, jumped well, always travelling well, effort to challenge appr 2 out, quickened appr last and soon led flat, ran on strongly, impressive

Dali Mail had schooled well before this, his chase debut, but the manner of his victory against 4 useful rival was astounding. Always well thought of, and with a progressive look to his career, Dali Mail sliced through the field from 4 out to record a comfortable win beating the OR137 rated I'm To Blame.

16 November 19 Wetherby : 2m Hdcp Hurdle (Class 3 0-140 OR123) soft (heavy in places) 9 ran (C Whillans (3)) - 3rd (beaten 10½l)

Waited with, headway after 4 out and not clear run, ridden 3 out, every chance next but no extra from last

Dali Mail has run very well first time out this season. He was never going to win but was beaten by 2 in-form, progressive hurdler who each had benefitted from a recent run. The winner, Cornerstone Lad, looks graded class. Dali Mail will now be schooled over fences.

16 March 19 Newcastle : 2m ½f Hdcp Hurdle (Class 3 0-130 OR122) heavy 8 ran (C Nichol) - 2nd (beaten 1¾l)

In tch, stdy hdwy ½way, blnd 3 out, not fluent next, jumped left and chckd last, close second when nt mch room and sw rght run-in, one pace nr fin

First run in a handicap and Dali Mail acquitted himself quite well. He reached for 3 out and this stopped his momentum as he was travelling strongly at that point. He hung left on the run-in and this didn't leave any room to challenge the winner.

2 January 19 Ayr : 2m Novice Hurdle (Class 4) soft 12 ran (C Whillans(3) - 2nd (beaten 2½l)

Trckd ldr, hung left, led 3 out travelling well, headed appr last and jumped left, quickened to regain lead run in, hung left, no ex fnl 100 yds

Dali Mail travelled strongly throughout but also hung left leaving Callum to ride on virtually one rein for the whole race. Having said that a slick jump at the last gave him every chance and he quickened nicely but Callum had to forego riding a finish as he hung left on the run-in.

29 November 18 Ayr : 2m Maiden Hurdle (Class 5) heavy 9 ran (C Whillans(3) - won by 8l

Held up tracking leaders, took closer order approaching 3 out, disputed lead 3 out, led after 2 out and soon clear, comfortably

Dali Mail put in an impressive performance on hurdles debut, travelling well and jumping nicely. Taking it up 2 out, he just needed to be pushed out hands and heels to assert. A nice horse, with lots to look forward to this season.

13 April Aintree 18 : 2m 1f NH Flat (Grade 2, Class 1) soft 20 ran (C Whillans) - 15th (beaten 31l)

Travelled strongly behind leader, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out

Dali Mail ran well for a long way in what was a fiercely contested bumper. Callum gave the horse every chance and was well placed on the turn for home just over 3f out, but didn't find much for pressure and weakened out of contention.

16 February 18 Kelso 18 : 2m ½f NH Flat (Class 5) heavy 6 ran (C Whillans(3)) - won by 18l

Upsides leader on outside, led 6f out travelling well, clear 2f out, readily.

Change of tactics with Dali Mail paid off in fine style. He matched strides with the eventual 2nd (Dr. Hooves) until Callum eased him into the lead leaving the back straight. His relentless gallop soon proved decisive and he was pushed out in the final 2f. Impressive performance in the testing ground.

25 January 18 Kelso : 2m ½f NH Flat (Class 5) heavy 7 ran (C Whillans(3)) - 3rd (beaten 3½l)

Tracked leaders, effort and every chance 2f out, ridden and held in third but kept on nicely towards line.

Not unduly knocked about by Callum when held inside the final furlong, this was a very nice run from our gelding on his second ever run having been off for a year. Both the winner (cost £150k) and runner-up (cost £90k) won Irish Points last Spring, with a previous winner 9 lengths back in 4th.