Glenelg was a thoroughbred

Thoroughbred

The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...

 bred in England but born in the United States after his dam was imported into the US in 1866. Bred from two horses of no notable talent he would go on to become one of the most influetal sires of his time. He exceled both on the track and in the breeding shed.

On the Track

As a yearling Glenelg was pursused by August Belmont for the sum of $2,000, but due to his size and temperament it was decided that he should not race as a two year old. Hoping to give him time to mature he was not started until he was well in to his three year old season, his first started being in the Belmont Stakes

Belmont Stakes

The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...

. Glenelg, even though being the best of the field, did not win his first race on account of the fact that his owner at August Belmont wanted Glenelg’s stable-mate, Fenian, to win so he was held back at second. Glenelg went on to Jerome Stakes beating Vespucius but lost to the colt a week later in the Annual Stakes. He then went on to win the Travers Stakes and finished his three year old season with one more win giving him three wins and two seconds in five starts. Glenelg was considered the best three year old of 1869.

During his four year old season he never regained his old form, but he still made some major victories to make him the Older Male Champion. Early in the season he ran a bad third Westchester Cup and then ran third again to Helmbold and Hamburg in the Saratoga Cup. But he later beat Helmbold in Maturity Stakes. He also won the Excelsior Stakes, Breakfast Stakes and then won impressively in Bowie Stakes which rounded off his four year old campaign. At age five Glenelg started as favorite in the Westchester Cup but was beaten and came up lame after the race. At age five Glenelg started as favorite in the Westchester Cup but was beaten and came up lame after the race. Glenelg was sent home to recuperate but he never raced again.

Stud Career

Despite Glenelg's slow start, as a stallion he was among the best in the country and dominated the west coast. Glenelg was given little attention when he stood for August Belmont, who preferred to direct most of his focus to the more highly valued of his stallions, Kentucky. As a result of this inattention on his owner's part, he performed quite poorly in his stud duties. He was later sold to Milton H. Sanford for $10,000 in a package deal along with two mares and he did quite well but it wasn't until he was sold again to Daniel Swigert that he hit his stride. After Glenelg initial Sire List win he would become the first horse since Lexington to dominate the sire list consecutively. While Glenelg mixed best Lexington mares his best runner the Hall of Famer Firenzi, out of a Virgil mare, who won Champion Female four years (1887-1890).