Charles the Twelfth was bred by Major Yarburgh (also spelled Yarborough), who also owned Lollypop (bl f 1836 Starch or Voltaire), the dam of Sweetmeat (br c 1842 Gladiator), the latter the sire of the Two Thousand Guineas and Derby winner Macaroni (b c 1860). Charles the Twelfth won three races for Major Yarburgh. Described as a horse of great power he stood 16 hands. He was sold at the end of his three year old campaign to A Johnstone on his return from India for 3000 guineas and for whom he won another sixteen races.

In the 1840s Charles the Twelfth covered at Willesden Paddocks for a fee of 15 guineas and at Sheffield Lane Paddocks for a fee of 10 guineas. In 1854 he was leased to Mr Devereux, near Worcester. His stock was said to have sold well enough at first although he didn't get many that bred on. His best daughter was Olga (b f 1851), the ancestress of good winning families in central and eastern Europe, New Zealand, Australia, France and Italy, and of the notable stallions La Farina (ch c 1911 Sans Souci) and Busy American (b c 1919 North Star). Forlorn Hope (gr f 1848) was the dam of the stallion Cock Robin (gr c 1854 Chanticleer), and The Swede (b f 1848) was the 2nd dam of the stallion Blue Ruin (b c 1874 Blue Mantle). When Charles himself was put up for auction only £20 was bid for him. Afterwards a private sale was arranged, however, the buyer backed out. Charles the Twelfth was destroyed in Yorkshire on October 12, 1859.