Raging Torrent, Carl Spackler get strong support for debuts at Lane's End

Broodmare support is key for young stallions to get off on the right foot, and there are few Kentucky newcomers who might get better backing than Grade 1 winners Raging Torrent and Carl Spackler, both debuting at Lane’s End Farm in 2026.

Paul Curran signed tickets in the name of the Raging Torrent Syndicate and Carl Spackler Syndicate, respectively, at the major November mixed sales in Kentucky, with eight total purchases for more than $12.9 million. Curran said he was representing Ace Stud, a stallion brand affiliated with the international Yulong Investments, which was involved in the racing ownership of both horses. Ace Stud launched this year by rebranding the former Dullingham Park Stud in Newmarket, England, which stands the Yulong stallion Shaquille. The mission is now to support the Kentucky newcomers.

“We’re here [at the major Kentucky sales] to try to get some elite broodmares in to our new boys,” Curran said. “It’s important that we support them.”

Raging Torrent was co-owned by Yulong’s Zhang Yuesheng on the racetrack. A Grade 2-winning sprinter in the summer of 2024, Raging Torrent concluded his career with consecutive triumphs in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes, Grade 2 Godolphin Mile, and Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap. He defeated champion Fierceness in the Met Mile, which has long been considered a stallion-making race.

Raging Torrent, by Maximus Mischief – in turn by sire of sires Into Mischief – was subsequently forced into retirement with a suspensory injury. His career record showed seven wins from 14 starts and earnings of more than $1.7 million.

“His ability to stretch his front-running speed to a mile and win a prestigious race like the Met, in addition to his international success, makes him an exciting prospect for breeders,” Lane’s End’s Bill Farish said in a release.

Yulong privately purchased Carl Spackler, who retires with earnings of more than $1.9 million, earlier this year. The son of European stallion Lope de Vega had won seven stakes in the U.S., including the Grade 1 Fourstardave and Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile last year, and the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile to start this season. He went unplaced in three Group 1 stakes in England following his sale.

“It didn’t work out, but he’s got a phenomenal race record here in America,” Curran said. “So it made sense that we bring him back here and retire him here.”

The Raging Torrent Syndicate made the majority of Ace’s purchases at the November sales, led by $5 million for Broodmare of the Year Puca at Fasig-Tipton and $2 million for multiple graded stakes winner Chatalas at Keeneland. The Carl Spackler Syndicate was led by $1.2 million for Grade 3 winner Selenaia at Keeneland.

However, just because a mare was purchased in the name of a particular stallion does not mean she will visit that stallion. For example, the Raging Torrent Syndicate purchased the stallion’s dam, Violent Wave, for $1.5 million, and she certainly will not be bred to her own son. As for Puca – dam of Kentucky Derby winner Mage, Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch, and Grade 1 winner Baeza – she will eventually visit an Ace Stud stallion, but plans have not been finalized for her 2026 mating.