In a career that lasted from April 1828 to 1831 he ran twenty-five times and won fifteen races, with several of his wins being walkovers in which all of his opponents were withdrawn.

Andrew, a well-bred but not particularly successful racehorse, had attracted little attention as a sire, and was covering at a fee of one guinea when Sorcery was one of only three or four Thoroughbred mares sent to him in the year of Cadland's conception.

[5] At the next Newmarket meeting he ran as "Cadland" for the first time to win a two-runner Produce Stakes on 21 April, running away from his only opponent.

Racing on soft, muddy ground,[6] he started at odds of 5/1 and won by a head from Lepanto, with the favourite Navarino finishing well beaten.

He set a strong pace and by the turn into the straight at Tattenham Corner, The Colonel, Zinganee, Alcaston and Omen were the only other horses left in contention.

The Colonel's owner, Mr Petrie, declared that he had no intention of dividing and so the deciding heat took place after the next race.

Some observers, however, noticed that Bill Scott was "nervous almost to the point of agitation" at the prospect of taking on Robinson, who was known for his excellence in closely run races.

On this occasion, however, the Northern horse was unable to get to the lead and Cadland maintained a narrow advantage throughout the closing stages to win by a margin reported as either a neck or half a length.

On the Monday of the First October meeting he led from the start in the Grand Duke Michael Stakes and won easily by two lengths.

Commenting on these successes the Sporting Magazine observed that Cadland, for all his ability, was not a "free pleasing" runner, often seeming reluctant and idle in his races.

[11] At the Houghton meeting his owners claimed the forfeit money when Bessy Bedlam, his opponent for a match race, was withdrawn.

He started 4/7 favourite but his unbeaten run came to an end as he finished last of the three runners behind Zinganee, in an upset described by the New Sporting Magazine as "a thunder-bolt".

[14][15] In a very strong field (described by one commentator as "without parallel"[16]) for the Ascot Gold Cup on 18 June Cadland finished third to Zinganee and Mameluke, with The Colonel and Green Mantle (Epsom Oaks) among those behind him.

[18] At the next Newmarket meeting two weeks later he won the Oatlands Stakes, a handicap race, beating six opponents under a weight of 122 pounds.

[32] On 4 April Cadland carried top weight in the Oatlands Stakes and finished second to the filly Varna, to whom he was conceding seventeen pounds.