Having finished sixth over 1,400m on his debut at Leopardstown, Ireland on 14 May, HADMAN (IRE) (Starspangledbanner x Anneli) showed plenty of progress when finishing third over 1,200m at The Curragh Ireland on his second start on 2 June. On Sunday, 13 June, at Gowran Park and on his third start, The Al Mamoura Partnership-owned colt secured a first victory.
After making most of the running, HADMAN strongly resisted the challenges of both UNCONQUERABLE (IRE) (Churchill x Rien Ne Vas Plus) and his half brother ONCE UPON A RIVER (Churchill x Cassandra Go). 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 (IRE) was a further short behind in third. These margins demonstrate how tough was the contest in the final stages of the 1,400m race for two year olds.
Well regarded by connections, HADMAN, could now head into group company and he has already been entered in both the Railway Stakes (Gr2) and The Phoenix Stakes (Gr1), 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 (Gr1).
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club