A superb New Zealand stayer, Dalray was a much admired star performer on Australian tracks in the early 1950's. After a dismal start as a two-year-old in his home country, Dalray excelled as a three-year-old over the longer distances. In the spring and summer of 1951-52 the three-year-old proved himself the best of his age in the country by winning the prestigious New Zealand Derby, Great Northern Derby, Gloaming Stakes, Trentham Stakes, Autumn Stakes, and New Zealand St Leger. The horse was trained at Riccarton by Mr Clarrie McCarthy, although he was considered a West Coast horse from Omoto. Dalray was owned by Cyril Neville who had a big produce store in Greymouth. The horse was named after their twin children, Dallas and Ray. He was by the sire Balloch GB (by Obiliterate) out of the dam Broiviene (by Broifort).

After his two-year-old campaign in New Zealand, Dalray excelled as a three-year-old once getting up over more ground. Brought to Sydney for the 1952 autumn carnival, Dalray had an easy two length win in the Autumn Stakes. Starting equal favourite in the Sydney Cup, he was beaten a head by Opulent, a defeat which most observers blamed on the controversial tactics of his jockey. He was a certainty beaten in both the Sydney and Wellington Cups, possibly by poor rides. In the 1952 Sydney Cup, he missed the start by 100m and his jockey, Keith Nuttall made two fast runs on him. By the half mile they were clear leaders, but tired, failing to keep Opulent out by a head after doing an amazing amount of work. Famously a ‘certainty’ beaten in the Sydney Cup, his owner was quizzed about the defeat and declared;

"Well Phar Lap got beaten and Bradman got a duck"

Incidentally, the original Jockey Ray Nuttall was from Blackball, a small town on the West Coast, but Cyril sacked him a few days before the Melbourne Cup and paid him the eqivalent of a winning fee. He then engaged a top Melbourne Jockey, Billy Williamson. In September Dalray reappeared in Australia and enjoyed a triumphant season, winning the Colin Stephens Stakes and Metropolitan Handicap in Sydney, the Mackinnon Stakes and amazingly, the prestigious Melbourne Cup. Cyril was described in later years as "a larrikin and illegal bookmaker". The genuine opinion in Melbourne that Dalray was the best horse in the race was practically unanimous. Owner Cyril Neville, in classic New Zealand style said before the race, "If we had 8.8 instead of 9.8 (60.78kg) he could take a knock in the race and still win." It was roughly 8lb overweight for the horse's age.

Dalray went on to win comfortably, with Welkin Sun and another New Zealander, Reformed, filling minor placings. Dalray won by half a length and covered the distance in 3.23.75. The winning purse of £14,550 was considered a small fortune. After the win the party went on for days. Mr Neville then took the gold cup on a tour of all the schools on the West Coast of New Zealand. Dalray had 27 starts for 14 wins, 2 seconds and 3 thirds.

In 1953, Dalray competed in the Ercildoune Stakes, considered a highly controversial race at the time. Dalray and Hydrogen sat back and paced each other as Aldershot speared away to a commanding lead to eventually win comfortably by 10 lengths from Dalray - the bookmakers were ecstatic. Punters gathered around the mounting yard to hiss and boo crack jockey Darby Munro, the rider of Hydrogen and Billy Williamson for their weak tactics. The race was considered a farce, but far worse, Dalray had returned to scale seriously lame. After breaking down at Flemington as a 4yo Dalray was retired to stud in Australia. He left Tails who won two AJC Metropolitan handicaps and a Doomben Cup and Grand Garry who won a Sydney Cup.

RACE RECORD - 27:7-5-6

EARNINGS - £39,076

1951 CJC NZ Derby

1952 Great Northern derby

1952 Gloaming Stakes

1952 Trentham Stakes

1952 Autumn Handicap

1952 NZ St Leger

1952 Autumn Stakes

1952 Colin Stephen Stakes

1952 Metropolitan Hcp

1952 MacKinnon Stakes

1952 Melbourne Cup

1953 VRC Queen's Plate