Born August 29, 1941 at Plainview, Texas, Carl became fascinated with bulls on his father's farm near Olton, Texas. Prior to his training career, he spent several very successful years on the PRCA circuit and was ranked No. 3 in the world of professional bull riders in 1963. Nafzger went to the National Finals three straight years, 1963-65.

Carl married his wife Wanda in 1968, the year he took out his trainer's license. In those days Nafzger and his wife did all the work, Wanda grooming them and Carl exercised and shod them.

Nafzger is one of just a few trainers to win the Kentucky Derby twice. He did it first with Unbridled in 1990 and again in 2007 with the sensational Street Sense.

In 1971, Nafzger saddled his first stakes winner when Speedy Karen won the Fiesta Handicap at Santa Fe Downs. According to Equibase, Nafzger's first major stakes win came at Louisiana Downs in 1978 when Nalees Miss won the Myrtlewood Stakes. Since then he has won over 140 stakes races in North America.

In 1998, a daughter of Unbridled became his second champion. Banshee Breeze won the Coaching Club of America Oaks, the Alabama and the Spinster.

He credits legendary horseman John Nerud for giving him the push he needed to become a successful trainer. "John Nerud did three great things for me," said Nafzger. "He put good horses in my barn. He gave me confidence to stick to my own theories and he kept owners off my back until I could prove I could train horses."

Between 1973 and August 29, 2007, Nafzger is credited with 1,065 wins and earnings of $49,518,638. Carl is also a talented author. He wrote the book "Traits of a Winner: The Formula for Developing Thoroughbred Racehorses."

In 1990, Nafzger received the Eclipse Award as the nation’s Outstanding Trainer.

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