Trainer Kenny McPeek announced Oct. 15 that 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna has been officially retired from racing and will call John Sikura’s Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa near Paris, Ky., her home as she embarks on her second career as a broodmare.

“For everybody out there that’s worried about her, you can rest at ease. She’s fine.” McPeek said. “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.”

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Her retirement announcement was widely expected. McPeek suggested it was likely following her Oct. 5 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes fourth-place finish at Keeneland, where she was 8 1/2 lengths behind upset winner Gin Gin after pressing the early pace. But McPeek wanted to have her evaluated before finalizing the decision.

A 20% share in the filly will be auctioned at the Keeneland Championship sale 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.”

The Spinster was Thorpedo Anna’s second off-the-board effort of 2025, with the other coming in the Fasig-Tipton La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs May 2. Through her 3-year-old season, she had never been worse than second.

Despite those blemishes this year, she still compiled a 4-for-6 record in 2025 — winning the Azeri Stakes and Apple Blossom Handicap in the early part of the year at Oaklawn Park, and the Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis Stakes at Churchill Downs and Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga Race Course during the summer months.

2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Eclipse Sportswire)

She was not as dominant at age 4 as she was last year as a 3-year-old when she captured six of seven races, with her only loss being a head defeat when second to Fierceness when matched against males in the Travers Stakes. Her 2024 campaign was highlighted by victories in the Longines Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs and Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar — a victory that essentially clinched her Horse of the Year title. She was also the Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-old filly of 2024.

Thorpedo Anna, who went 2-for-3 as a juvenile, retires with a record of 12 wins and two seconds in 16 starts with earnings of $5,440,913. She notched 10 graded stakes wins. The 4-year-old daughter of Fast Anna raced for Brookdale Racing, Magdalena Racing, Mark Edwards, and Judy Hicks for much of her career before John Sikura’s Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings joined them in ownership this summer.

Hicks bred the seven-time Grade 1 winner, whom McPeek purchased at auction for $40,000 in 2022 from Grovendale Sales consignment to the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale. Her dam, the Uncle Mo mare Sataves, was named Broodmare of the Year in 2024.

“As a racehorse, Thorpedo Anna is one of the most accomplished fillies in history and has been an exciting horse to watch,” Sikura said. “Everyone at Hill ‘n’ Dale looks forward to being a part of her next chapter as a top broodmare.”

McPeek added, “We’re really proud of her. She’s had tremendous support — thank you to all the fans that have cheered her on during her career.”