LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A horse trained by an Oldham County family tied the all-time record for wins at Churchill Downs.

Bango, a 6-year-old horse born and bred in Goshen, tied Ready's Rocket record for wins at the Louisville racetrack Saturday in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes. Bango is trained by Greg Foley and his two sons, Travis and Alex.

"His ability to stay together for his 6-year-old campaign, he's running in really high-level races, which is a unique thing, too," Travis Foley said. "It's a testament to his stick-to-itiveness and consistency. He's just an awesome horse."

Bango was bred at Upson Downs Farms and has been in Greg Foley's barn ever since. The Foleys have been a fixture at Churchill Downs and horse racing for decades. Greg Foley, whose father, Dravo, was also a trainer, started training horses in 1981 and had his first horse run in the Kentucky Derby in 2020.

Owned by Fred Schwartz with Tamaroak Partners, Bango has been the latest colt running at a high-level in Greg Foley's career that has amassed almost 1,500 wins.

"It took him a couple races to get to this level, he's had a few set backs here and there," Travis Foley said. "Last year, we started seeing it was possible. We were a little unlucky because when they moved the races from Churchill to Ellis, he actually won that race at Ellis. In theory, we should have already gotten the record."

In the record-tying race on Sept. 16, Bango was stayed in the mix on the back stretch run and was just behind Strobe for the lead at the far turn. Bango came off the final turn with a short lead and held off a late by Gulfstream Way. 

"He's usually close to the lead," Travis Foley said. "He sat right off it the other day but he can be a little bit off of it. He has some versatility."

Bango tied the record for race wins at Churchill Downs on Sept. 16.

Bango is 14-4-2 in 33 starts, compiling a career earnings of $1,459,261 according to Equibase. Eleven of those wins have come at Churchill Downs.

"We've campaigned him around Churchill Downs," Travis Foley said. "He's the best that he is at Churchill Downs. He shows up here every time."

Age hasn't been an issue for Bango as the Foleys prepare for a shot at a record-breaking run this fall.

"As good as he is right now, we're hoping he could race next year," Travis Foley said. "We'd like to get it done in November, but, if not, hopefully next year."

For a local family devoted to horse racing, another win at Churchill Downs for Bango would be a cherished accomplishment.

"It means a lot," Travis Foley said. "We're Oldham County, Louisville guys. This is our home track. We try to aim our barn to have a big meet here. He's the centerpiece of that right now. Having the record here, being local guys, would mean a lot to us."

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