(PHOTO - ONE FAMOUS GLASS, the 2013 Horse of the Year as voted by the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Inc., is shown winning in 2015 (blue silks) . New Image Media photo)
The horse that changed my life
One Famous Glass has been one of the fastest horses at Ajax Downs in the last few years but he is also a gentle giant who loves people, in particular his family at Hillerin Farm in Hillsburgh, ON.
‘Eagle’, as he is affectionately known, has been one of the most important horses for trainer Bryn Robertson who owns the flashy sorrel gelding with his wife Carol, daughter-in-law Jaime and Dr. Charles Hall.
“He’s done everything for us,” said Robertson. “His success has given us more incentive to try harder and continue in the industry.”
While One Famous Glass will spend the winter frolicking in his paddock at Hillerin before preparing for racing in 2016, Robertson recently reflected during the Christmas holidays on how the horse came into his life.
“I bought him at the Oklahoma yearling sale. He was from the first crop of One Famous Eagle, an earner of over $1.3 million on the track. I liked the breeding on his dam’s side too.”
Robertson paid $10,000 for One Famous Glass, considered a bargain since his sire now stands for a hefty stud fee of $25,000 and is one of the top stallions on the continent.
As a 2-year-old, One Famous Glass was a winner and stakes placed before he blossomed as a sophomore. In 2013 he won two Derbies at Ajax Downs and was named the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Inc.’s Horse of the Year as well as the American Quarter Horse Association’s High-Pointe Three-Year-Old Gelding.
That season came just in the nick of time for the Robertsons, who like, many in the Ontario horse racing industry, had trimmed down their horse population when the slots-at-racetracks program partnership program was cancelled.
As a four-year-old, One Famous Glass tested the best in the United States in the spring. One of his best efforts was a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Leo Stakes at Remington Park in Oklahoma.
The ‘Eagle’ had a chip removed from one of his legs late in 2014 but came back this season to win three of his five starts including a sizzling victory in his trial for the Alex Picov Memorial Championship, posting a 106 speed Index for a time of :21.610 for 440-yards.
In 25 career starts, One Famous Glass has won 12 races, placed in seven others and earned over $155,000.
“He’s a big, stocky, fast horse but he’s easy to handle and never gives you any trouble,” said Robertson. “He’s about 1,200 pounds but a 10-year-old could ride him.”
The Robertsons have lived on their 100-acre farm for 48 years and have seen dozens of top runners race around their paddock.
“Eagle will live here forever, he’s not going anywhere,” said Robertson. “We’ll race him a few times in 2016 but he will always be with us here on the farm.”
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