Bango is by Congrats, a millionaire son of A.P. Indy who sired 12 graded/group winners and 47 black-type stakes winners, out of the winning Smart Strike mare Josaka. Raced as a homebred by Tamaroak Partners under the guidance of trainer Gregory Foley, Bango enjoyed a long and successful career.
The hard-knocking eight-year-old made 42 starts, captured nine stakes races, and placed in a Grade 2 — a narrow defeat behind Hoist the Gold and Nakatomi in the 2023 Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland. He concluded his career with a record of 15 wins, 4 seconds, and 5 thirds. Bango's remarkable 12 wins at Churchill Downs, more than any horse in the track’s long history, earned him the nickname “Mr. Churchill Downs.” He retired with earnings of more than $1.644 million.
Pedigree
Congrats
b. 2000
A.P. Indy
dk b. 1989
Seattle Slew
dk b. 1974
Weekend Surprise
b. 1980
Praise
b. 1994
Mr. Prospector
b. 1970
Wild Applause
b. 1981
Bango
Josaka
dk b. 2007
Smart Strike
b. 1992
Mr. Prospector
b. 1970
Classy 'N Smart
b. 1981
Fly The Colors
dk b. 2003
Giant's Causeway
ch. 1997
Runup The Colors
dk b. 1994
Race Record
42: 15-4-5
At 2: Won Maiden Special Weight at Churchill Downs
At 3: Won Mayers Electric Company Animal Kingdom Stakes (Black Type)
At 4: Won Aristides Stakes (Listed), Kelly's Landing Overnight Stakes (Black Type), Good Lord Stakes (Black Type); 3rd Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes (Black Type)
At 5: Won Aristides Stakes (Listed), Bet on Sunshine Stakes (Listed); 2nd Richard R. Scherer Memorial Stakes (Black Type), Duncan F. Kenner Stakes (Listed)
At 6: Won St. Matthews Overnight Stakes (Black Type), Kelly's Landing Stakes (Listed), Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes (Black Type); 3rd Phoenix Stakes (G2), Bet on Sunshine Stakes (Listed)
