Congrats Dies at 25, Leaves Legacy of Grade I Winners
WinStar Farm‘s pensioned stallion Congrats died Monday at age 25, according to Scott Kintz, who oversees Six K’s Training & Sales at Woodford Thoroughbreds in Florida where the stallion had resided since his 2021 retirement.
The son of A.P. Indy out of Praise (by Mr. Prospector) established himself as a consistent sire of winners during his stud career spanning multiple prominent farms.
Congrats earned graded stakes credentials on the track, capturing the GII San Pasqual Handicap in 2005. He also placed in the GI Santa Anita Handicap and GI Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap while competing for owner Cloverleaf Farm and trainer Kathleen O’Connell. His racing career included a fifth-place finish behind Roses In May in the 2005 G1 Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup, ultimately earning just under $1 million through his four-year campaign.
His stud career began in 2007 at Cloverleaf’s Florida operation before relocations to Vinery Stud (2008-2012) and eventually WinStar Farm in 2013, where he stood for the majority of his breeding career.
Congrats developed into a reliable source of winners, with 932 of his 1,293 starters reaching the winner’s circle from 1,552 registered foals. His most accomplished progeny include Grade I winners Turbulent Descent, Haveyougoneaway, Emma’s Encore, and Wickedly Perfect.
His influence extended to his daughters’ production as well. As a broodmare sire, Congrats is represented by Japanese standouts Forever Young (Jpn) (Reel Steel {Jpn}) and Danon Decile (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}).
The stallion was pensioned to Woodford Thoroughbreds — formerly Cloverleaf Farm — in October 2021, where he remained until his passing.
