Trainer Kenny McPeek on Wednesday confirmed that reigning horse of the year Thorpedo Anna will not race again and outlined breeding plans for the 4-year-old daughter of Fast Anna.
“For everybody out there that’s worried about her, you can rest at ease. She’s fine.” McPeek said in a joint statement from his racing operation, Keeneland and part owner Hill 'n' Dale Farms. “She has been examined by several veterinarians. Dr. (Larry) Bramlage of Rood and Riddle found some very mild bone bruising which is consistent with horses in work at her level and she could go back to training in 90 days, but we have opted to retire her.”
Thorpedo Anna retires with over $5.4 million in earnings and 10 graded stakes wins, including last year's Breeders' Cup Distaff. A $40,000 purchase by Kenny McPeek at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton fall yearling sale, she is co-owned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms, her breeder Judy Hicks, Mark Edwards and Magdalena Racing, the nom-de-course of McPeek's wife, Sherri. She will join the broodmare band of Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa in Lexington, KY.
Thorpedo Anna concludes her career with a record of 16: 12-2-0. She most recently finished a disappointing fourth in the Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 5, fading on the final turn of the 1 1/8-mile race after stalking the pacesetter.
Wednesday's announcement noted that a 20% share will be auctioned at Keeneland’s Championship Sale on Oct. 29 at Del Mar.
“It’s an incredible privilege to offer an interest in reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna at the Championship Sale,” said Shannon Arvin, president and CEO of Keeneland. “Her brilliance on the track has captured the imagination of fans everywhere.
Buyers now have an extraordinary opportunity to share in her future as a broodmare.”
“As a race horse, Thorpedo Anna is one of the most accomplished fillies in history and has been
an exciting horse to watch” said John G. Sikura, president of Hill 'n' Dale. “Everyone at Hill ‘n’ Dale looks forward to being a part of her next chapter as a top broodmare.”
McPeek telegraphed the likely retirement of Thorpedo Anna last week in an episode of the Horse Races Now podcast, saying there was a "very, very good possibility" that there would be such an official statement soon.
“We’re really proud of her," he said in Wednesday's statement. "She’s had tremendous support – thank you to all the fans that have cheered her on during her career."
