Multiple stakes winner and millionaire Bango, the winningest horse in recorded Churchill Downs history with 12 wins under the twin spires, has been retired from racing at age 8, trainer Greg Foley said Nov. 7.
The decision follows two subpar performances this year, the most recent of which was a seventh-place finish in a Nov. 6 allowance optional claiming race at Churchill Downs.
Bango, an intact son of Congrats owned and bred by Fred and Debbie Schwartz, concludes his racing career with a 15-4-5 record in 42 starts with earnings of $1,644,979. The Schwartzes breed as Tamaroak Stable and race as Tamaroak Partners.
Foley said plans for Bango's post-racing career have not been finalized, but one option would be for him to become a stallion if there is sufficient interest, presumably in a regional market outside Kentucky. Bango never won a graded stakes race, but racked up nine black-type triumphs, six times at Churchill Downs, twice at Ellis Park, and once at Turfway Park. He also showed in the Phoenix Stakes (G2) at Keeneland in 2024.
Bango is from a modest but productive female family, one of five winners from eight starters from his dam, the Smart Strike mare Josaka. One of his siblings, Eton Ridge, won a black-type stakes race in 2018 in Puerto Rico.
If a stallion career doesn't materialize, "we'll find him a good (retirement) spot somewhere, one or the other," Foley said.
Foley said Bango would likely remain at his Churchill Downs barn through next week before heading to a lay-up farm while long-term plans are finalized.
Reflecting on how Bango racked up so many wins at Churchill Downs, Foley noted the horse's obvious affinity for the track surface, along with being pointed for meets at the Louisville, Ky., track, where Foley bases for much of the year. Bango made two-thirds of his starts at Churchill Downs, racing 27 times on the main track there and once on turf.
"It was a great ride for great people," he said of Fred and Debbie Schwartz.
Troubleshooting Aims for One More Run in 2025
Foley said Donamire Farm's hombred Troubleshooting, coming off victories in the Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G1T) at Kentucky Downs and Bryan Station Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland, is pointed toward another fall start in the $300,000 Commonwealth Turf (G3T) Nov. 22 at Churchill Downs.
"He's doing great. There's no reason not to run him," Foley said.
Restricted to 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on turf, the Commonwealth will mark the longest race of Troubleshooting's career. After taking the Franklin-Simpson over 6 1/2 furlongs on grass at Kentucky Downs, the son of Not This Time stretched out effectively to prevail over a two-turn mile in the Bryan Station at Keeneland.
Foley indicated Troubleshooting would head with other horses from his stable to Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots this winter, but that Troubleshooting would likely be given a break from racing before targeting grass stakes contests that unfold in earnest beginning in the spring.
