Multiple Grade 1 Winner and Sire Congaree Dead at 22

Multiple grade 1 winner Congaree was euthanized due to the infirmities of old age Nov. 22 at Valor Farm near Pilot Point, Texas, where he had been standing prior to being pensioned earlier this year. He was 22.

Owned and bred by Janice McNair and her late husband Bob under their Stonerside Stable banner, Congaree was among a handful of horses the McNairs retained after selling their farm, training center, and bloodstock to Sheikh Mohammed in October 2008 in order to devote more time to their Houston Texans NFL franchise.

"Congaree was such a special horse," said Janice McNair. "I am so grateful for all the many happy memories Congaree gave us. He was so unique, and had the most loving personality. He was a delight to be around, and it was always such a thrill to watch him run. Congaree was truly the horse of a lifetime for us."

Trained by Bob Baffert, the chestnut son of Arazi out of Mari's Sheba raced 25 times, from ages 2 to 6, including a streak of 22 consecutive starts in graded stakes, beginning with a win in the 2001 Wood Memorial Stakes (G2). Overall, Congaree won five grade 1 stakes, from seven to 10 furlongs and captured five other graded stakes. He also finished third in the 2001 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1). Congaree ran the fastest dirt mile in North America in 2002, winning the Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) at Aqueduct Racetrack in 1:33.11. He came back to win that race again in 2003 and remains the only two-time winner of the Cigar Mile. Congaree won or placed in graded stakes at nine racetracks coast to coast.

"He was just a special horse," said Baffert. "We had gotten to know the McNairs after training Chilukki for them, but it was through Congaree that we really got to know the whole family, and we made some great memories. Congaree was a really fast horse, and could carry his speed. His Kentucky Derby performance was one of the best, he set a blistering pace for the mile and hung in gamely. Another race that stands out in my memory was his Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) win in 2003. He just destroyed the competition. We raced all over the country with him, and it was just so much fun to show up with a horse like Congaree."

Congaree barely survived a difficult birth, presenting at 152 pounds—well above average size, especially for a first foal. Sickly and confined to stall rest due to several broken ribs, he quickly became a staff favorite with his friendly personality. McNair remembered feeding him peppermints on the many visits to Kentucky.

Retired to stud at Adena Springs in Kentucky, he was later moved to Highcliff Stallions in New York, and eventually to Texas. In total, Congaree has sired 13 black-type stakes winners, including six graded or group winners. His top runners included Irish highweight Maoineach and grade 1 winners Jeranimo ($1,525,364), Don't Tell Sophia ($1,382,479), and Killer Graces ($451,907). As a broodmare sire, his daughters have produced 12 black-type winners, including grade/group 1-placed, grade 2 winner Homerique, 2020 Irish group 3 winner New Treasure, and six-time Panamanian champion Tomas Gabriel.

"Congaree was the epitome of what we hoped to accomplish with the Stonerside breeding program," said John Adger, longtime racing and bloodstock manager for the McNairs. "It was fitting he was our first grade 1 homebred, as his dam and granddam were part of the purchase of the Elmendorf broodmare band of Jack Kent Cooke in 1997—an acquisition we considered the cornerstone of the breeding program. He always gave 100% in every race. He was an Eclipse Award finalist three times—Horse of the Year, champion sprinter, and champion older horse."

"Congaree had so much class," said Ken Carson, general manager of Valor Farm. "He was a pleasure to be around, an easy-going horse who certainly loved his mints."

"I am very grateful to all the people who played a part in his life—all our Stonerside staff, Bob Baffert and his team, our friends and family who traveled the country with us to watch him race, and to his many loyal fans who reached out to us over the years," said McNair. "He's been at two great farms here in Texas—first Will Farish's Lane's End Texas under the excellent care of Danny Shifflett, then after Lane's End closed, we were fortunate to be able to move him to Douglas Scharbauer's Valor Farm. We are especially grateful to farm manager Donny Denton and the entire crew at Valor for the wonderful care they have given Congaree. We are honored that he has been buried in the cemetery at Valor alongside so many of the great horses owned by the Scharbauer family."