Mongo (horse)

Mongo (1959–1983) was an American Champion Thoroughbred racehorse that was most notable for his performances in turf races.

Mongo
SireRoyal Charger
GrandsireNearco
DamAccra
DamsireAnnapolis
SexStallion
Foaled1959
CountryUnited States
ColourChestnut
BreederMarion duPont Scott
OwnerMarion duPont Scott
TrainerFrank A. Bonsal
Record46: 22-10-4
Earnings$820,766
Major wins
Lexington Handicap (1962)
United Nations Handicap (1962, 1963)
Trenton Handicap (1962, 1964)
Diamond State Handicap (1963, 1964)
Washington, D.C. International Stakes (1963)
John B. Campbell Handicap (1964)
Monmouth Handicap (1964)
Widener Handicap (1964)
Awards
American Champion Male Turf Horse (1963)

Background

He was bred and raced by Marion duPont Scott, a member of the prominent Du Pont family. His sire was imported British stallion Royal Charger, a son of Nearco, which Thoroughbred Heritage says was "one of the greatest racehorses of the Twentieth Century".[1] Mongo's dam was Accra, Ms. Du Pont Scott's foundation mare, who produced at least seven other winners including the three-time American Champion Steeplechase Horse Neji.[2]

Racing career

Frank Bonsal, a former jockey in steeplechase racing, conditioned Mongo for racing. As a three-year-old in 1962, the colt won important races on turf under jockey Charlie Burr. He notably won the Lexington Handicap, the first of two consecutive runnings of both the United Nations Handicap and the Trenton Handicap. The following year was Mongo's most successful. On November 11, he met the reigning American Horse of the Year Kelso, as well as challengers from France, Ireland, Hungary, Venezuela, and Russia in the Washington, D.C. International Stakes. The race evolved into a match between Mongo and Kelso throughout the last half-mile. On the line, Mongo prevailed by half a length, but his win was only confirmed after the track stewards rejected a claim of interference brought by Ismael Valenzuela, the rider of the runner-up.[3] As a result of his successes, Mongo was voted the 1963 American Champion Male Turf Horse.

Mongo also raced successfully at age five. He defeated Kelso again to win the 1964 Monmouth Handicap, defeated the outstanding runner Gun Bow in the John B. Campbell Handicap, and set a new Monmouth Park track record in winning the Trenton Handicap for the second time.

Stud career

Retired to stud at Blue Ridge Farm near Upperville, Virginia, Mongo met with modest success. While none of his progeny met with his level of racing success, Mongo sired some good runners, including:

Mongo died at age 24 on March 21, 1983, at Blue Ridge Farm.

Pedigree
Pedigree of Mongo (USA), chestnut stallion, 1959[4]
Sire
Royal Charger (GB)
1942		 Nearco (ITY)
1935		 Pharos Phalaris
Scapa Flow
Nogara Havresac
Catnip
Sun Princess (GB)
1937		 Solario Gainsborough
Sun Worship
Mumtaz Begum Blenheim
Mumtaz Mahal
Dam
Accra (USA)
1941		 Annapolis (USA)
1926		 Man o'War Fair Play
Mahubah
Panoply Peter Pan
Inaugural
Ladala (USA)
1927		 Ladkin Fair Play
Lading
Tonala Broomstick
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References
  1. Anne Peters Thoroughbred Heritage. "Pharos". Tbheritage.com. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
  2. "Neji". Racingmuseum.org. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
  3. "Mongo Outruns Kelso in International". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. November 12, 1963. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
  4. "Mongo pedigree". equineline.com. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
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