[2] At age three, Kostroma made a winning debut on May 20, 1989, for owner Robert Sangster and trainer Tommy Slack in the Glengarrif Fillies Maiden at Ireland's Curragh Racecourse.
Owner Robert Sangster sold a share of Kostroma to Americans William de Burgh and Prestonwood Farm, and her race conditioning was then taken over by California-based trainer Gary Jones.
A stomach disorder kept Kostroma out of racing until early September 1991, but she returned to set a stakes record in winning the Osunitas Handicap at Del Mar Racetrack.
[3] Six weeks later, Kostroma won the October 20 Las Palmas Handicap at Santa Anita, setting a world record time of 1:43.92 for 1 1/8 miles on turf.
Her best offspring on the track was a 2005 filly by Doneraile Court named Ariege, who earned more than half a million dollars with wins including the Grade I Kentucky Oaks.