Multiple grade 1 winner Carl Spackler has been retired from racing and will stand at Lane's End Farm for the 2026 season, the farm announced Nov. 3. The 5-year-old son of top European sire Lope de Vega is best known for his dominant performances at both Keeneland and Saratoga Race Course.
Bred by Fifth Avenue Bloodstock, Carl Spackler was campaigned by e Five Racing before being acquired by Ace Stud. He broke his maiden in his second start by nearly 9 lengths.
The summer of 2024 began his proclivity for Saratoga, taking his first of what would become four wins at the Spa in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (G2T). He would add to his résumé a win in the Saranac Stakes (G3T) later in the 2024 meet, and wins in the Kelso Stakes (G3T) and Fourstardave Handicap (G1T) the following season. He earned his top Beyer Speed Figure of 106 in the Fourstardave, one of five triple-digit figures he would accumulate in his career.
At Keeneland, Carl Spackler added two more grade 1 victories to his résumé in back-to-back years. His first Keeneland victory at the highest level came in a thrilling edition of the Turf Mile Stakes (G1T) during the 2024 Fall Meet. He then returned in the spring of 2025 to take the Maker's Mark Mile (G1T), clearing the field by 4 1/4 lengths and earning a 104 Beyer Speed Figure. He retires with eight wins—three at the grade 1 level—six graded stakes wins overall and earnings of nearly $2 million.
"Carl Spackler is unquestionably the best male turf miler I've ever trained. Not only is he fast, sound, and perfectly made, he also has an incredibly calm temperament that trainers dream of," said trainer Chad Brown. "I will definitely be in the marketplace buying his best-looking offspring."
Lope de Vega has sired 21 grade/group 1 winners and is a top five European sire in 2025. Carl Spackler is out of the Goldikova Stakes (G2T) winner Zindaya, a daughter of More Than Ready and a half sister to Jamaica Handicap (G1T) winner Western Aristocrat. Carl Spackler's full sister Sandtrap is already a group 3-placed winner at 2.
"Lope de Vega has been a dominant force in racing since he was named European champion first-crop sire and has made a global impact. Carl Spackler had such an impressive turn of foot, consistently performing at an elite level, and with his sire line, he brings exciting diversity to the Lane's End roster," said Bill Farish with Lane's End.
