Our very own race starter (4)

I believe the answer is:

adam

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'race starter' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for adam that I've seen before include "the first orphan?" , "expelled gardener" , "Biblical first human" , "Eden man" , "who transformed the Palladian style?" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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