Tell Cartel third stakes winner in 2026 and moves up the charts as #2 leading

© SES AD CREATIONS

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

PHOENIX, AZ–JULY 19, 2026–Tell Cartel continues to make his presence felt in 2026, adding his third major stakes winner of the season when fastest qualifier JT Midlife Crisis returned on Saturday to capture the Grade 3 $170,476 Speedhorse Futurity on July 18 at Fair Meadows.

Ridden by Roman Cruz, the homebred gelding races for owner-trainer Jeffrey Tyer. JT Midlife Crisis is out of the Real Visions mare Wranglers Vision. He covered 350 yards in :17.415 while earning a 105 speed index.

The $64,781 winner's share of the purse boosted his earnings to $104,098 while improving his record to four wins from five starts. The victory marked his first stakes score after entering the race off a finalist effort in the Grade 2 Easy Jet Stakes.

The Speedhorse Futurity winner gives Tell Cartel stakes winners at three different racetracks this season. Earlier this season, Point Blank Range captured the Grade 2 Heritage Place Derby at Remington Park, while Cmtellumwhereyagotit won the Vandys Flash Handicap at Los Alamitos.

Tell Cartel is represented by 27 winners in 2026, including 10 black-type horses. From 84 starters, he has sired 20 black-type runners, representing nearly 24 percent of his starters. His progeny have earned more than $2 million while averaging approximately $24,500 per starter. He currently ranks No. 2 among the nation's leading third-crop sires by stakes winners and No. 1 among Arizona stallions by money earners.

His other leading earners include by Show N Tell Cartel SI 98 with earnings of $292,628, followed by Point Blank Range SI 98 with earnings of $182,459, Kas He Tells You SI 95 with earnings of $92,840, and Alittlelesstalk SI 95 with earnings of $88,983.

A two-time champion, Tell Cartel SI 105 earned $796,386 on the racetrack. He was bred and is owned by Martha Wells of California. The son of leading sire Favorite Cartel comes from one of the breed's most accomplished female families.

Tell Cartel is a full brother to Chicks Cartell, who added another stakes victory to the family on July 17 with a win in the Walter Merrick Stakes. © Jack Coady Photography

Tell Cartel is a full brother to Chicks Cartell, who added another stakes victory to the family on July 17 with a win in the Walter Merrick Stakes. The success extends to the sale ring as well, with two yearlings out of full siblings to Tell Cartel and Chicks Cartell cataloged for the 2026 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. Hip #314, Manning, and Hip #401, Fayvorite Filly, will both sell during the prestigious sale.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THEIR CATALOG PAGES

Tell Cartel stands at Fales Ranch for the 2026 breeding season for a fee of $5,500. For breeding information or contracts, contact Ralph and Carrie Fales at 520-723-7480 or email falesranch@gmail.com.

*******************

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.