MARTHA RETIRED AND SET TO BE A MUM
Ian Fortune
Glengar Martha has run her final race and is ready for the next phase in her life.
Pat Buckley confirmed the news in recent weeks that she had a date with Glengar Bale at the Droopys Stud a fortnight ago and all looks good with the brilliant daughter of Droopys Sydney.
Much like a fine wine, Glengar Martha aged with grace, seemingly improving with each month and the fact that she won the final four starts of her career must have tempted those connected to her to keep her in training.
Alas, at over four years of age, time was eventually going to catch up with her so Pat Buckley and her lucky owner Bill Wood made the right decision to let her bow out at the top at the Winter Racing Festival.
It was the perfect end to a stellar career that saw her win an incredible thirty times in the very best of company. Indeed, this scribe often wrote that, more than most, she must have been the most wonderful greyhound to own. It was a sentiment that Bill Wood confirmed on more than one occasion.
THE START OF A LONG JOURNEY
Her journey to stardom, like so many, began at Enniscorthy in March 2023.
Her abundant talent was obvious from the start as she starred in the early rounds of the Future Champion and Michael Fortune Memorial Unraced Stake.
Winning on debut in a fast 28.79, she went even faster a week later when posting 28.72. It was a fortnight later than she really gave notice that she was going to be a star. Producing what would become the norm with the October ’21 whelp, she flew from traps to dominate in 28.47. It remains the fifth fastest time ever recorded at Enniscorthy for the 525yd trip.
She carried no luck in the final but she was on her way. Soon after she went to the semi-finals of the Limerick Oaks in all-aged company before making her first journey to Shelbourne Park for the start of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks.
Despite her youth and inexperience, she comfortably progressed through the classic before finishing a good third in the final behind Crafty Shivoo.
TAKING ON THE BEST
She was kept bust through the remainder of the year, going to the third round of the Derby.
Her run through the blue riband included a famous second round win at odds of 28-1. Behind her on the night were the brilliant De Lahdedah and Ballinabola Ed and subsequent Derby finalist Droopys Nice One.
She would go on to finish third in the Munster Oaks, reach the semi-finals of the Laurels at Curraheen Park and finish fourth in the Galway Oaks.
All the time she was gaining valuable experience. She began 2024 in style, winning three on the spin including the opening two rounds of the Gold Cup. After a stunning 28.07 run in the second round, she was a warm favourite to win her semi final only to hit the deck.
She dusted herself down and reached yet another classic decider in early April. Taking on the dogs, she earned herself a place in the final of the Easter Cup but luck again let her down.
A semi-final elimination from the Limerick Oaks opener the door for an English Derby challenge. After an impressive opening round victory, she went to the third round before making an unlucky exit.
A FLAWLESS CHAMPION PLATE SUCCESS
The first major honours of her career came soon after, however.
Following her return from the Uk, she was immediately targeted at the Champion Plate at Shelbourne Park and the two-run event really played to her strengths. Not seeing a rival in either round, she came home clear of a talented field in the decider, stopping the clock in 29.47.
STAYING BUSY
After a well-earned three-month rest, she returned for a crack at the Derby but again went out at the third-round stage after finding traffic.
The same fate awaited her in the Kingdom Derby, as her 2024 campaign ended in the semi-finals.
She was now over three years of age with almost 60 races in the bag but little did we know she would return in 2025 better than ever, showing no signs of decline. In fact, as we said in the opening paragraph, she aged like a fine wine.
REMAINING A FORCE IN 2025
The first sign that she remained a force came in opening round of the Cork Oaks in early March.
In just her second start of the year after a winter rest, she posted a rapid 28.12. She would go on to finish third in the valuable final before returning to Dublin.
In what was her sixty second career start, Glengar Martha posted a sensational 27.81 in a valuable one-off open 525 at Shelbourne Park.
It was the start of a tremendous run of form that saw her finish fourth in the Select Stakes at Waterford before emerging as the one to beat in the Sporting Press Irish Oaks after three flawless displays in the early rounds.
When clear favourite to land the bitch classic, she ran out of luck in the semis, finishing just a length out of the qualifying places after a little traffic.
AGING LIKE A FINE WINE
She would display her versatility by reaching the third round of the Irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk soon after but time wasn’t on her side.
In the weeks leading up to her fourth birthday, she won at Galway and Shelbourne Park, posting a brilliant 28.01 in Dublin.
She would have just a few more races before the curtain was brought down on her career and she seemed to sense it. Some three weeks after her fourth birthday, she won again at Shelbourne Park with a flawless odds-on victory in 28.13.
A week later she turned up at Cork for the semi-finals of an Open Bitch 525 and duly won her heat in 28.17. The final was part of the Laurels final card and Glengar Martha again justified cramped odds, coming home clear in a sizzling 28.09.
And so, after three brilliant runs, she was set for her swansong at Shelbourne Park in late November. Martha wore her beloved stripes in the Winter Racing Festival Championship Bitch 525 and was sent to traps the 7-4 joint favourite alongside Laurels winner Magical On Fire.
The race to the bend was competitive and Glengar Martha took a bump but she was determined to sign off in style. Showing her trademark early speed and determination, she shot to the front between the opening bends to enter the back straight in pole position. To cheers from the appreciative crowds, Glengar Martha galloped on strongly to see off her market rival by a length and a half in 28.50.
A REMARKABLE RECORD AND FITTING END
After a career that spanned almost three years and 84 races, she took on and beat nothing but the best in training.
She had a remarkable 30 wins at a remarkable nine different tracks, reached the latter stages of a number of classics and won almost €50,000 in prizemoney.
She may not have won a classic but her body of work stands up against the vast majority. Her consistency and incredible ability made her a hugely popular performer and those lucky enough to see her race will remember her fondly.
She is now set to take up her new role as a mum. Should all go to plan, she will have a litter by Glengar Bale in the coming weeks. If those pups have half their dam’s ability, they will be worth following. Glengar Martha was a star and be remembered as such. Let’s hope she throws a classic winner in the future.