Churchill Downs will host a special retirement ceremony for reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna during Race 6 on Sunday before she begins her second career as a broodmare at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa in Lexington, Ky.
Last year’s Kentucky Oaks champion will walk over with the field for Race 6 at approximately 3 p.m. ET and remain in the Churchill Downs paddock for approximately 20 minutes until the race concludes at 3:26 p.m.
Trainer Kenny McPeek announced Thorpedo Anna’s retirement from racing on October 15.
The 4-year-old daughter of Fast Anna concludes her three-season career with an impressive record of 16-12-2-0 and $5,440,913 in earnings.
“I’ve used this analogy a lot in my career: horses are like surfing and you’re trying to catch a big wave. This filly has been the most amazing wave I’ve ever ever been on,” McPeek said.
Fans will have an additional opportunity to meet the champion at McPeek’s Keeneland barn (25, Stall 1) on October 25 from 11 a.m. to noon.
Thorpedo Anna retires as a 10-time graded stakes winner, including seven Grade I victories, for owners Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings of John G. Sikura, breeder Judy Hicks, Mark Edwards and Sherri McPeek’s Magdalena Racing.
A 20% ownership share of Thorpedo Anna will be auctioned at Keeneland’s Championship Sale on October 29 at Del Mar.
Her dominant 3-year-old campaign included victories in the Grade II Fantasy, Grade I Kentucky Oaks, Grade I Acorn, Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks, Grade I Cotillion and Grade I Breeders’ Cup Distaff. She also experienced a narrow head defeat in the Grade I Travers.
This year, Thorpedo Anna added to her impressive resume with wins in the Grade II Azeri, Grade I Apple Blossom, Grade II Fleur de Lis and Grade I Personal Ensign before finishing fourth in her final career start, the Grade I Spinster at Keeneland in October.
