$3.2 million earner Congaree euthanized
Classic-placed multiple Grade 1 winner and sire Congaree was euthanized Nov. 22 due to the infirmities of old age. The son of Arazi was 22 and had resided at Valor Farm near Pilot Point, Texas, where he had been standing prior to being pensioned earlier this year. The farm shared the news of his death on its social media channels Monday.
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Congaree was bred and raced by the Stonerside Stable of the late Bob McNair and Janice McNair. He was one of a handful of horses the McNairs retained after selling their Thoroughbred holdings to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum in October 2008 to devote more time to their NFL franchise, the Houston Texans.
“Congaree was such a special horse,” Janice McNair said in a statement posted by Valor. “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.”
Congaree was born weighing 152 pounds, well above average size. He was confined to stall rest early on due to several broken ribs sustained in his delivery, but overcame that difficult beginning to become one of the best runners of his generation. Racing through parts of five seasons, he compiled a record of 25-12-2-4 for earnings of $3,267,490, winning or placing in 16 graded stakes. He won the Grade 2 Wood Memorial in his stakes debut, defeating eventual Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos, before finishing third in both the 2001 Derby and Preakness. Later that summer, he notched his first Grade 1 score in the Swaps.
In 2002, Congaree won the Grade 3 Lone Star Park Handicap, Grade 2 Del Mar Breeders’ Cup Handicap, and, in the fall, the Grade 1 Cigar Mile, defeating Aldebaran, who would go on to be an Eclipse Award champion sprinter. Congaree continued a win streak by opening 2003 with scores in the Grade 2 San Pasqual and Grade 2 San Antonio before finishing second by a head in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap. He again defeated Aldebaran to win the Grade 1 Carter Handicap. He added two more Grade 1 victories, taking the Hollywood Gold Cup over the summer before repeating in the Cigar Mile.
Congaree stood in Kentucky and New York before eventually arriving in Texas. He is the sire of 16 stakes winners, led by multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire Jeranimo. He also is the sire of Grade 1 winners Don’t Tell Sophia and Killer Graces, and graded/group winners Maoineach, Mythical Power, and Shrinking Violet.