Glenelg (USA)
1866 – October 23, 1897
Citadel (GB) x Babta (GB), by Kingston (GB)
Family 26
1866 – October 23, 1897
Citadel (GB) x Babta (GB), by Kingston (GB)
Family 26
Imported to the United States in utero, Glenelg was an animal of great power and stamina and was probably the best American-raced horse of his generation. He was better still as a sire, leading the American general sire list four times, but failed to establish a lasting male line.
Race record
18 starts, 10 wins, 4 seconds, 3 thirds, US$25,700
1869:
1870:
1871:
Honors
American champion older male (1870)
As an individual
A blood bay horse with no white markings, Glenelg was too big, growthy, and temperamental to be raced at 2. He matured into a powerfully muscled animal with a short back and strong hindquarters. He stood 16 hands and was said to girth 76 inches. He could be faulted for cow hocks. He was vulnerable to colic and had to miss several important engagements due to recurrent bouts; training time lost to these episodes was a likely factor in some of his losses. He emerged lame from his last race, the 1871 Westchester Cup, and although it was hoped that he could return to training, the injury proved to be career-ending.
As a stallion
Glenelg led the American general sire list in 1884 and 1886-1888. His progeny were noted for stamina, soundness, good constitutions, and excellent feet and legs. He was particularly known as a sire of excellent fillies. Unfortunately, Glenelg also tended to pass on the unruly temperament of his youth. Clio Hogan's Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967 credits Glenelg with 29 stakes winners.
Notable progeny
Aella (USA), Carlsbad (USA), Dry Monopole (USA), Ferida (USA), Firenzi (USA), Grisetta (USA), Los Angeles (USA), Louisette (USA), Monitor (USA), Tristan (USA)
Connections
Foaled at Clifton Stud in New York, Glenelg was bred by Sir Roderick W. Cameron, a founding member of The Jockey Club. He was purchased as a yearling in November 1867 by trainer Jacob Pincus, who gave US$2,000 for him as agent for August Belmont. Following his racing career, Glenelg was sold in a package deal with two mares to Milton H. Sanford for US$10,000 in 1872. Sanford installed the stallion at his Preakness Stud in Kentucky, where Glenelg was a notable success. Preakness Stud (Glenelg included) was purchased by Daniel Swigert in 1881 and renamed Elmendorf Stud. After Swigert dispersed Elmendorf in 1891, Glenelg was sold to Tyree Bates, who renamed his farm near Castalian Springs, TN, "Glenelg Stud" in Glenelg's honor. Glenelg remained there until his death in 1897.
Pedigree notes
Glenelg's pedigree is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to 1871 Hunter Handicap winner Elsie (by Leamington) and to Cleopatra (by Kentucky), third dam of 1903 Belmont Stakes winner and American champion 3-year-old male Africander.
Glenelg is out of Babta, a daughter of 1852 Goodwood Cup winner Kingston. Babta, in turn, was produced from Alice Lowe, a half sister to an unnamed daughter of Touchstone who became the third dam of 1879 Melbourne Cup winner Darriwell. Alice Lowe was sired by the Whalebone horse Defence, a notable source of stamina, out of Pet, by Gainsborough.
Fun facts
Race record
18 starts, 10 wins, 4 seconds, 3 thirds, US$25,700
1869:
- Won Travers Stakes (USA, 14FD, Saratoga)
- Won Champion Stakes (USA, 1-mile heats, Jerome Park)
- 2nd Belmont Stakes (USA, 13FD, Jerome Park)
- 2nd Annual Stakes (USA)
1870:
- Won Maturity Stakes (USA, 24FD, Jerome Park)
- Won Breakfast Stakes (USA, 2-mile heats, Pimlico)
- Won Bowie Stakes (USA, 4-mile heats, Pimlico)
- 2nd Monmouth Stakes (USA, 20FD, Monmouth)
- 3rd Saratoga Cup (USA, 18FD, Saratoga)
1871:
- 2nd Westchester Cup (USA, 18FD, Jerome Park)
Honors
American champion older male (1870)
As an individual
A blood bay horse with no white markings, Glenelg was too big, growthy, and temperamental to be raced at 2. He matured into a powerfully muscled animal with a short back and strong hindquarters. He stood 16 hands and was said to girth 76 inches. He could be faulted for cow hocks. He was vulnerable to colic and had to miss several important engagements due to recurrent bouts; training time lost to these episodes was a likely factor in some of his losses. He emerged lame from his last race, the 1871 Westchester Cup, and although it was hoped that he could return to training, the injury proved to be career-ending.
As a stallion
Glenelg led the American general sire list in 1884 and 1886-1888. His progeny were noted for stamina, soundness, good constitutions, and excellent feet and legs. He was particularly known as a sire of excellent fillies. Unfortunately, Glenelg also tended to pass on the unruly temperament of his youth. Clio Hogan's Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967 credits Glenelg with 29 stakes winners.
Notable progeny
Aella (USA), Carlsbad (USA), Dry Monopole (USA), Ferida (USA), Firenzi (USA), Grisetta (USA), Los Angeles (USA), Louisette (USA), Monitor (USA), Tristan (USA)
Connections
Foaled at Clifton Stud in New York, Glenelg was bred by Sir Roderick W. Cameron, a founding member of The Jockey Club. He was purchased as a yearling in November 1867 by trainer Jacob Pincus, who gave US$2,000 for him as agent for August Belmont. Following his racing career, Glenelg was sold in a package deal with two mares to Milton H. Sanford for US$10,000 in 1872. Sanford installed the stallion at his Preakness Stud in Kentucky, where Glenelg was a notable success. Preakness Stud (Glenelg included) was purchased by Daniel Swigert in 1881 and renamed Elmendorf Stud. After Swigert dispersed Elmendorf in 1891, Glenelg was sold to Tyree Bates, who renamed his farm near Castalian Springs, TN, "Glenelg Stud" in Glenelg's honor. Glenelg remained there until his death in 1897.
Pedigree notes
Glenelg's pedigree is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to 1871 Hunter Handicap winner Elsie (by Leamington) and to Cleopatra (by Kentucky), third dam of 1903 Belmont Stakes winner and American champion 3-year-old male Africander.
Glenelg is out of Babta, a daughter of 1852 Goodwood Cup winner Kingston. Babta, in turn, was produced from Alice Lowe, a half sister to an unnamed daughter of Touchstone who became the third dam of 1879 Melbourne Cup winner Darriwell. Alice Lowe was sired by the Whalebone horse Defence, a notable source of stamina, out of Pet, by Gainsborough.
Fun facts
- Glenelg's namesake appears to have been the 19th-century British politician Charles Grant, who was created Baron Glenelg in 1835. His barony took its name from the Scottish village of Kirkton of Glenelg in the western Highlands.
- Glenelg made his first start in the 1869 Belmont Stakes and could have won had owner August Belmont not declared to win with Fenian. As it was, Glenelg had to be pulled practically double to allow his stablemate to win.
- A horse of exceptionally handsome make, Glenelg's sire Citadel (by Stockwell) was better known in the show ring than as a racer although he was a full brother to 1866 One Thousand Guineas winner Repulse.