A full sister to 1905 Belmont Stakes winner and two-time American champion filly Tanya, Tangle was an acknowledged champion but probably was not the equal of her sister on the track. Nonetheless, she had some success as a broodmare, and it became her role and not Tanya’s to perpetuate the family of 1880 American champion filly Spinaway into the far future. As the ancestress of “Genetic Gem” Itsabet, she heads a female line that leads to numerous champions and some of the finest broodmares in the world’s stud books.
Race record
12 starts, 6 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, US$71,372
1905:
1906:
Honors
American co-champion 3-year-old filly (1906)
As an individual
A chestnut mare, Tangle had a habit of breaking slowly but had a strong closing kick. She did not care for heavy going.
As a producer
Tangle produced 11 foals. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in New Jersey, Tangle was bred by William Collins Whitney. She raced in the colors of F. R. Hitchcock. As a broodmare, she was owned by John E. Madden. She was sent to France in 1911 and returned to the USA in 1919, covered by Rire Aux Larmes. She died in 1929.
Pedigree notes
Tangle is inbred 5x5 to three-time English/Irish champion sire Orlando, winner of the 1844 Derby Stakes. She is a full sister to two-time American champion filly Tanya, winner of the 1905 Belmont Stakes and dam of stakes winners Atta Boy II (by Rabelais) and Sarapion (by Thunderer). Tangle is also a half sister to Spun Glass (by Rock Sand), dam of 1921 Preakness Stakes winner Broomspun (by Broomstick).
Tangle was produced from 1895 Tennessee Oaks winner Handspun, whose full sister Homespun is the second dam of 1924 New Orleans Handicap winner Fredericktown (by Pennant). Homespun is also the third dam of 1936 Alabama Stakes winner Floradora and the fourth dam of 1945 American champion juvenile male Star Pilot. In addition, Handspun is a half sister to 1895 Suburban Handicap winner Lazzarone (by Spendthrift) and 1891 Tremont Stakes winner Spinalong.
Handspun, in turn, is out of Spinaway (by Leamington), generally considered to be the American champion juvenile filly of 1880. Produced from the Eclipse mare Megara (a half sister to 1881 American champion 2-year-old filly Memento and 1886 Kentucky Derby winner Ben Ali, both by Virgil), Spinaway founded an important family with branches leading to such outstanding horses as Giant’s Causeway and the marvelous broodmare Hasili.
Last updated: July 3, 2026
Race record
12 starts, 6 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, US$71,372
1905:
- Won Adirondack Handicap (USA, 5.5FD, Saratoga)
- 3rd Saratoga Special Stakes (USA, 6FD, Saratoga)
1906:
- Won Great Republic Stakes (USA, 10FD, Saratoga)
- 2nd Saratoga Handicap (USA, 10FD, Saratoga; 2nd to stablemate Dandelion, who had been declared to win)
- 2nd Second Special Stakes (USA, 12FD, Gravesend; 2nd of 2)
- 3rd September Stakes (USA, 11FD, Sheepshead Bay)
Honors
American co-champion 3-year-old filly (1906)
As an individual
A chestnut mare, Tangle had a habit of breaking slowly but had a strong closing kick. She did not care for heavy going.
As a producer
Tangle produced 11 foals. Her important foals are as follow:
- Snarl (1909, by Yankee) is the dam of 1917 Golden Rod Handicap winner Fern Handley.
- Melee (1911, by Yankee) is the second dam of 1935 Louisiana Derby winner McCarthy and the third dam of 1939 Hawthorne Handicap winner Chief Onaway.
- Hibernia (1915, by Irish Lad) is the dam of Queens County Handicap winner Kildare (by Star Master).
- Scramble (1919, by Le Melior) is the dam of 1929 Agua Caliente Derby winner Naishapur (by Omar Khayyam) and the second dam of Oaklawn Handicap winner Sugar Beet. She is also the third dam of 1954 Ashland Stakes winner Jenjay and the fourth dam of 1948 Prioress Stakes winner and “Genetic Gem” Itsabet, who is the primary conduit for Spinaway’s family to modern times.
Connections
Foaled in New Jersey, Tangle was bred by William Collins Whitney. She raced in the colors of F. R. Hitchcock. As a broodmare, she was owned by John E. Madden. She was sent to France in 1911 and returned to the USA in 1919, covered by Rire Aux Larmes. She died in 1929.
Pedigree notes
Tangle is inbred 5x5 to three-time English/Irish champion sire Orlando, winner of the 1844 Derby Stakes. She is a full sister to two-time American champion filly Tanya, winner of the 1905 Belmont Stakes and dam of stakes winners Atta Boy II (by Rabelais) and Sarapion (by Thunderer). Tangle is also a half sister to Spun Glass (by Rock Sand), dam of 1921 Preakness Stakes winner Broomspun (by Broomstick).
Tangle was produced from 1895 Tennessee Oaks winner Handspun, whose full sister Homespun is the second dam of 1924 New Orleans Handicap winner Fredericktown (by Pennant). Homespun is also the third dam of 1936 Alabama Stakes winner Floradora and the fourth dam of 1945 American champion juvenile male Star Pilot. In addition, Handspun is a half sister to 1895 Suburban Handicap winner Lazzarone (by Spendthrift) and 1891 Tremont Stakes winner Spinalong.
Handspun, in turn, is out of Spinaway (by Leamington), generally considered to be the American champion juvenile filly of 1880. Produced from the Eclipse mare Megara (a half sister to 1881 American champion 2-year-old filly Memento and 1886 Kentucky Derby winner Ben Ali, both by Virgil), Spinaway founded an important family with branches leading to such outstanding horses as Giant’s Causeway and the marvelous broodmare Hasili.
Last updated: July 3, 2026