Thorpedo Anna, a queen taking her final bow — unforgettable…

The 2024 Horse of the Year has been retired from racing and will begin her new chapter as a broodmare at Hill ’n’ Dale Farms, closing out an unforgettable career under the care of Kenny McPeek

Thorpedo Anna, una sana costumbre para la crack / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).- The racing world is saying goodbye to one of its brightest stars of recent times. Trainer Kenny McPeek officially announced the retirement of Thorpedo Anna, the brilliant daughter of Fast Anna who earned her place among the legends of American racing and will now begin her new chapter as a broodmare at Hill ’n’ Dale Farms in Kentucky.

“For everyone who’s been worried about her, rest assured—she’s fine,” McPeek confirmed. “The vets found a minor bone bruise, which is common for horses competing at this level. She could be back in training within 90 days, but we decided it was time to let her retire.”

The news—anticipated after her fourth-place finish in the GI Spinster Stakes Oct. 5 at Keeneland—brings an end to a truly exceptional career. Thorpedo Anna retires with 12 wins from 16 starts, earnings exceeding $5.4 million, and an impressive 10 graded victories, including seven at the Grade I level.

Her coronation came in 2024, when she captured both the GI Kentucky Oaks and the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff, achievements that earned her the Eclipse Awards for Champion 3-Year-Old Filly and Horse of the Year. That same season, she even took on the boys in the GI Travers Stakes, missing by just a head to Fierceness (City of Light).

In 2025, she continued to shine with top-level wins in the GI Apple Blossom H. and GI Personal Ensign S., though no longer with the same dominance she displayed as a sophomore. She closed her career with the grace and determination of a true champion—a filly defined by her courage and will to win.

Bred by Judy Hicks, Thorpedo Anna was a $40,000 purchase at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Sale and went on to become one of the most dominant fillies of her generation. Raced by Brookdale Racing, Magdalena Racing, Mark Edwards, and Hill ’n’ Dale Equine Holdings, the latter will now oversee her broodmare career.

“She’s one of the most complete and thrilling fillies we’ve ever seen race,” said John Sikura of Hill ’n’ Dale. “Now we look forward to watching her write a new chapter of glory as a broodmare.”

In addition, it was announced that a 20% interest in the reigning Horse of the Year will be offered at the Keeneland Championship Sale on Oct. 29 at Del Mar, giving buyers a rare chance to be part of her breeding future.

“It’s an incredible privilege for us to offer an interest in the current Horse of the Year, Thorpedo Anna, during the Championship Sale,” said Shannon Arvin, President and CEO of Keeneland. “Her brilliance on the racetrack has captured the imagination of fans around the world. Now, buyers have an extraordinary opportunity to share in her next chapter as a broodmare.”

Visibly moved, McPeek summed it all up with heartfelt simplicity: “We’re so proud of her. She’s had tremendous support, and we just want to thank all the fans who cheered her every step of the way.”