Soldier of Fortune Mare Bolts Up Over Hurdles

Stadium Talk (5m Soldier Of Fortune - Dotchenka, by Astarabad) proved a class above her rivals in the Mares’ Maiden Hurdle at Down Royal on Friday evening.

The Soldier Of Fortune mare won a maiden on her second start for Cormac Doyle in February and made a perfect start under rules for John McConnell later in the season. Stepping up to three miles on her second start over hurdles, she was ridden prominently by Ben Harvey and asserted with two flights to jump. Staying on strongly, she led by 15 lengths on the line.

“She is a lovely filly,” McConnell said after the race. “I felt she was having a good look in front too, so hopefully there is more to come from her. She is a proper staying chaser in the making.”

Stadium Talk was bred by Thomas James out of Dotchenka, who has a yearling colt by Vadamos.