Having finished sixth over 1,400m on his debut in Leopardstown, Ireland, last month, Hadman showed plenty of progress when third over 1,200m on his second start earlier this month. Sunday, at Gowran Park in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, The Al Mamoura Partnership-owned colt secured his first victory.
After making most of the running, Hadman strongly resisted the challenges of both Unconquerable and his half-brother Once Upon A River. He managed to hold on the last strides to win by a head at the line for his trainer Joseph O’Brien and jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle in front of the Donnacha Aidan O’Brien-trained and Gavin Ryan-ridden Unconquerable. The G M Lyons-trained and Colin Keane-ridden Once Upon A River was a further short behind in third.
Well regarded by connections, Hadman, could now head into group company and he has already been entered in both the Railway Stakes (Group 2) and The Phoenix Stakes (Group 1), two of the best races for two-year-old’s in Ireland.
Bred by Merriebelle Irish Farm Ltd, Hadman was bought at Goffs Yearling Sale. He is a son of Coolmore stallion Starspangledbanner and out of Anneli, winner of a race in France as a three-year-old. Hadman’s second dam, Anne Of Kiev, won two listed races in England and she is from the same family as Chorist, winner of the Pretty Polly Stakes (Group 1).