De Deli Counter
🐎 De Deli Counter (GB)
Foaled: 6th June 2021 | Sex: Gelding | Colour: Bay
Sire: Dartmouth (GB) | Dam: Dedrunknmunky (IRE) (by Rashar (USA))
Trainer: Mark Walford
Why This Horse?
De Deli Counter is an exciting young staying hurdler whose career has been built on steady progression. A strong, athletic gelding with plenty of scope, he has improved with racing and already demonstrated the determination and stamina required to be a successful National Hunt performer.
After gaining valuable experience in novice company, he began to flourish once switched into handicap hurdles. His breakthrough victory at Market Rasen showed exactly what he is capable of, travelling prominently before battling on strongly to record his first success under Rules. Still relatively lightly raced, De Deli Counter remains a horse with considerable upside and plenty to look forward to as he continues to strengthen and mature.
🏇 Racing Profile
Foaled on 6th June 2021, De Deli Counter is a British-bred bay gelding who races in the colours of Ursa Major Racing Ltd & Partner. Following an educational introduction over hurdles, he steadily progressed through novice company before finding his feet in handicap company during the 2025/26 season.
His performances became increasingly consistent, finishing second at Market Rasen before following up with an authoritative victory over the same course and distance. Those performances highlighted his stamina, accurate jumping and determined attitude, qualities that make him particularly effective over trips in excess of two and a half miles.
Still only five years old, De Deli Counter remains at the beginning of his National Hunt career. With relatively few miles on the clock and continued physical development expected, he looks capable of climbing further through the staying hurdle ranks.
🏠 Training
De Deli Counter is trained by Mark Walford, whose North Yorkshire operation has developed an excellent reputation for improving staying hurdlers and chasers. Walford is renowned for giving horses the time they need to mature, and that patient approach has been rewarded with significant progress from De Deli Counter during his novice campaign.
At home he has developed into a straightforward, willing horse who enjoys his work and continues to improve physically. The team have carefully stepped him up in trip as his stamina has developed, and their measured approach has allowed him to gain confidence with every run. His victory at Market Rasen was the reward for months of patient handling and suggested there is still more to come.
🧬 Pedigree Highlights
De Deli Counter is by Dartmouth, the multiple Stakes-winning son of Dubawi who excelled over middle and staying distances for Her Majesty The Queen. Dartmouth has quickly developed a reputation for producing strong, genuine offspring with the size, stamina and temperament required for National Hunt racing.
His dam, Dedrunknmunky, is by Rashar, adding further stamina and toughness to the pedigree. This female family is built around durability and staying ability, traits that have become increasingly evident as De Deli Counter has progressed over hurdles.
The combination of Dartmouth's class and Rashar's stamina gives him an ideal pedigree for a long and successful career under National Hunt rules, with every indication that further improvement will come as he matures.
🌟 Looking Ahead
De Deli Counter has already shown that patience is paying dividends. His first hurdle victory was an important milestone, but it also hinted that there is considerably more to come. As his confidence continues to grow and he gains further experience in staying handicaps, he has the profile of a horse capable of winning more races.
With Mark Walford continuing to place him carefully, there is every reason to believe De Deli Counter can continue progressing through the handicap ranks. His combination of stamina, honest attitude and scope makes him an exciting long-term prospect and another horse that perfectly reflects the values of Ursa Major Racing—patience, progression and plenty of ambition.
