A Tribute by Carolyn Costigan

Inish Glora was purchased privately on the recommendation of Cara Bloodstock principal Bernard McCormack, after she failed to reach her reserve when offered as a 7-month-old weanling at the Keeneland January Sale. Bred by the late Dr. C.G. Scott DVM, upon purchase she was raised and commenced training at the famed Windfields Farm in Oshawa. She was to prove a most auspicious investment.

A late foal, she nevertheless showed her initial trainer, Kathy Bremner, enough talent to start her career in a stakes (graded) race. Although she did not place in her two starts as a juvenile, her morning work suggested significant talent. Her three-year-old year saw Inish Glora continue to progress, as she travelled far and wide, placing second in the Washington Breeders' Cup Oaks Listed Stakes race.  After being set a nearly impossible task in the early stages of the race, Inish Glora made a tremendous rally to inhale all but one of the field before running out of ground.  The filly returned to her home track at Hastings Park to finish a controversial second in the British Columbia Breeders' Cup Oaks Grade lll to Kentucky Oaks Grade l placed Collect Call. The controversy arose when the winning jockey's whip inadvertently struck Inish Glora on the face. Despite the result, Inish Glora ran a superb race that day with her customary grit and determination.  The filly then ventured east. She placed fourth in the Wonder Where Stakes, the third leg of the Canadian Triple Tiara, her first try on turf. She finished her three-year-old campaign with a solid third, beaten by only one and a half lengths by champion older turf mare Heliotrope.

As a four-year-old Inish Glora won her first stakes race on the dirt at Hastings Park in the Strawberry Morn Stakes.  Later that year she went east again to be the only Canadian representative in the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes.  Despite that year's E.P Taylor being run at a pace that did not suit Inish Glora's running style, she ran a commendable race. The filly finished her four-year-old campaign running second on the dirt at Woodbine in the Classy 'n Smart Stakes.

For her fifth year it was decided to campaign Inish Glora solely at Woodbine. The mare was transferred to the care of Hall of Fame conditioner MacDonald Benson. She spent the winter months at Benson's winter base, Payson Park, in Florida.  This year would be one of lows and highs reflective of how horse racing can move from despondency to elation in a matter of months. The year started with a paddock mishap that left Inish Glora with a fractured pelvis, resulting in months of inactivity, lost time and fitness. 

Nursed back to health and racing fitness, in a superb training job befitting the Hall of Fame Trainer, Inish Glora won three races that year highlighted by the Canadian Handicap Grade ll over subsequent Grade ll winner Volga.  The mare was voted Champion honours in the Female Turf division for the year of 2003.

In her 6 th year, despite giving significant weight advantage to her rivals in all her races, Inish Glora added wins in the Nassau Stakes Grade lll and the Victoriana Stakes Restricted, with credible second place finishes in the Canadian Handicap Grade ll and the Dance Smartly Handicap Grade lll.  Voters once again recognized her fantastic year by voting her Champion Turf Mare in 2004. To date, she is the only filly or mare to win successive Champion honours in the Female Turf Division.

Inish Glora retired with a record of 9 wins, 9 seconds, and 4 thirds from 32 starts earning $977,618. Her total Black Type (major race) career achievements: 5 wins, 8 seconds and 2 thirds. Further honours included being voted Canadian Champion Grass Mare in 2003 and 2004.

Broodmare Career

Retired from racing, Inish Glora commenced her breeding career at Mill Ridge Farm.  

2013 In Foal to Quality Road

2012 Athassel, filly - Arch

2009 Ardara, filly – Arch

2008 Lassair, filly – Elusive Quality

2007 Roan Inish, filly – Elusive Quality

2006 Bru Boru, gelding – Gone West