Vadamos Filly Proves A Class Apart In Juvenile Hurdle

Calvados (3f Vadamos - Hiya Dee, by Nathaniel) made a smart start to her hurdling career by running out a comfortable winner of Monday’s Three-Year-Old Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe.

Well-supported on her hurdle debut, the John McConnell-trained bay chased the leaders for much of the two mile test and was asked to challenge at the second last. Ridden approaching the final flight, she kept on well on the run-in to score by five and a half lengths under Simon Torrens.

Speaking after the race, the winning rider said, “She got the trip well and jumped well. John (McConnell) rang me beforehand and he was very confident that she’d run a big race. She did exactly what he thought she was going to do and it worked out well.”

Owned by Liam Mulryan and bred by Eric Mulryan, Calvados hails from the first crop of Vadamos, who joined the Grange Stud roster this season. Responsible for Stakes performers on the flat, the son of Monsun himself landed the Prix du Moulin, as did Castlehyde Stud’s exciting young sire Maxios (Monsun).