Three-time Grade 1 winner Carl Spackler is set to bring added star power to this year’s Royal Ascot after being acquired by Yulong Investments and transferred to Australia for training.
The five-year-old, widely regarded as one of the premier turf milers in the U.S., notched his third top-level victory with a commanding performance in the Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes at Keeneland last month. That win followed standout triumphs in the Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes in October and the Fourstardave Handicap in August, all under the guidance of former trainer Chad Brown.
Now racing in the green and white silks of Yuesheng Zhang, Carl Spackler joins a powerful international roster for Yulong Investments. The operation has already enjoyed major success with the likes of Phoenix Stakes winner Lucky Vega and Australian sensation Via Sistina, who has captured eight Group 1 victories since her acquisition in March 2025.
Zhang’s latest acquisition is set to follow a familiar route toward the prestigious Cox Plate under new trainer Ciaron Maher. But first, Carl Spackler will be aimed at the Queen Anne Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot, where he’s set to face off against some of Britain and Ireland’s top milers, including Rosallion, Dancing Gemini, Lead Artist, Notable Speech, and Porta Fortuna.
Maher said: “I feel incredibly honoured and privileged to be entrusted with a horse of this calibre by Mr Zhang and Yulong. The entire team is thrilled to be campaigning a genuine world-class performer and three-time Grade 1 winner on one of the sport’s biggest stages, proudly representing Australian racing in the Queen Anne Stakes.
“We’re just as excited for what lies ahead after Ascot, with the Cox Plate as his ultimate goal. We hope Carl Spackler can add to Yulong’s strong record in the race and make a real impact on Australian soil.”
Carl Spackler has been priced at 12-1 by Coral and Ladbrokes for the Queen Anne Stakes on June 17, where he will attempt to become the first non-European-trained winner of the Group 1 race since Tepin triumphed for U.S. trainer Mark Casse in 2016.
To secure his place in the £750,000 contest, Carl Spackler’s new connections will need to pay a supplementary entry fee of £53,000 on June 11, as the initial entry deadline passed on April 29.
“This creates a really exciting and unique U.S.-Australia storyline,” said Ascot’s director of racing, Nick Smith. “Chad [Brown] has developed Carl Spackler into arguably the leading turf miler in the U.S., and now he’s in the hands of one of Australia’s top trainers in Ciaron Maher.
“His presence in the Queen Anne adds an intriguing new layer to the anticipated rematch among the Lockinge contenders and bolsters what is shaping up to be a formidable international line-up. We’re extremely grateful to Mr Zhang for choosing to bring Carl Spackler to the royal meeting
While American runners have traditionally been the most successful international contenders at Royal Ascot, Australia has made a strong impact in recent years—particularly in the sprinting ranks—with Nature Strip taking the King Charles III Stakes in 2022 and Asfoora claiming the same race in 2024. Asfoora is expected to return this year in an attempt to defend her crown.
Her presence would further strengthen an impressive overseas challenge, which could include up to ten U.S. runners. Among them is Wesley Ward’s exciting prospect Outfielder, a debut winner at Churchill Downs, along with Japanese Grade 1 winner Satono Reve, who finished second only to Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising on his latest outing.
“We’re anticipating between six and ten U.S. runners, including the winners of both Gulfstream wildcard races,” added Ascot’s director of racing, Nick Smith. “Satono Reve has arrived from Japan for the Jubilee Stakes, and of course, Asfoora will be aiming to become a two-time winner of the King Charles III.
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