Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Buys Half of Thorpedo Anna

When people saw John Sikura, owner of Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, and retired NFL star Marshawn Lynch together before the start of the recent The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton's select yearling sale, it certainly created a buzz. Now, that buzz has become more of a rumble, the kind of which Lynch was known for when he went into "beast mode" during his playing days. Sikura's farm acquired a half interest in champion 3-year-old filly and Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna, the farm announced Aug. 14. As part of the deal, Lynch is taking a minor stake in the 4-year-old. "I became of aware of a potential opportunity, and I pursued it, and I was able to make a deal," Sikura said. "I've been knowing and aware of the mare for a long time, and I thought originally, before this opportunity presented itself, if she was going to be sold, to consider Hill 'n' Dale as a consignor. So that was the original interest, but I had never thought of or been made aware of the opportunity to become involved in an ownership capacity." Breeder and co-owner Judy Hicks said she learned of Sikura's ownership pursuit of the filly about 10 days ago with discussions becoming more serious in the last week. "He's a great partner to have just to continue, not only Thorpedo Anna, I mean, she's already made herself, she's already a superstar (but) we wanted to select the best possible entity that would increase her (profile)," Hicks said. Added trainer Kenny McPeek: "John Sikura is one of those people that's at the top of the game and knows the sport, and I'm just excited to be involved with him." Brookdale Racing sold its ownership in Thorpedo Anna to Hill 'n' Dale. Nader Al A'Ali of Brookdale Racing is the brother-in-law of Phoenix Thoroughbreds Amer Abdulaziz, who was sentenced last month to 15 months in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering. Hicks, Mark Edwards, and Sherri McPeek's Magdalena Racing retained their ownership percentages in Thorpedo Anna. As for Lynch, Sikura said he was introduced to the footballer-turned-businessman and philanthropist by a mutual friend at the Saratoga sale. "As this opportunity developed, and after I got it done, I asked if he wanted to participate and he did, so," Sikura said. "It's a minor share. I'm not going to let him get too deep, too involved, until he knows it, likes it, and has some experience with it. And I told him in the beginning that I would protect his money, his investment, and if he develops a passion for the game and likes it, we'll do more." The relationship between Sikura and Kenny McPeek dates back nearly 30 years. "Ironically, one of the first good horses that I ever trained, Tejano Run, was the first horse that John ever stood at stud," McPeek said. The filly by Fast Anna was named 2024 Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old filly after a campaign that saw her win six of seven starts, including the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) and the Kentucky Oaks (G1). Thorpedo Anna is out of the Uncle Mo mare Sataves, who was named 2024 Broodmare of the Year by the Thoroughbred Owner and Breeders Association. Sikura raved about Thorpedo Anna's pedigree, which includes the likes of Cosmah, Almahmoud, Halo, and Northern Dancer. "She hails and traces from some of the most important blood in the game," he said. "She seems to be in her performance to be a throwback to mares of the past where she's especially talented, but especially tough, consistent, dances every dance. … She's passing soundness and performance testing." A winner of six career grade 1 races, Thorpedo Anna has won three of four starts this year. For her career, she is 11-2-0 in 14 starts with $5,133,413 in earnings. The farm, Hicks, and Kenny McPeek are in agreement that while the plan is for Thorpedo Anna to continue racing this year and with an eye on 2026, ultimately the filly will make the decision for them. Her next expected start is the Aug. 23 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. "Let's just get through this year right now," the trainer said. "But with the partners on the one side: Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks, and myself, and my wife Sherry, we had notions that we're not opposed to running her next year. But she's going to have to tell us she wants to run next year, and she needs to run well through the end of this year, and we'll worry about next year when it happens."