Reigning Horse of the Year and 2024 Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) winner Thorpedo Anna will be honored in a special retirement ceremony during Race 6 on Sunday at Churchill Downs before she begins her second career as a broodmare at Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa in Lexington, Ky.
The star filly, who concluded her three-season career with a record of 16-12-2-0--$5,440,913, will walk over with the field for Race 6 at approximately 3 p.m. (all times Eastern) and remain in the Churchill Downs paddock for approximately 20 minutes until the race is completed at 3:26 p.m.
Trainer Kenny McPeek announced Thorpedo Anna's retirement from racing Oct. 15. The daughter of Fast Anna, who was purchased as a yearling for $40,000, retires with career-defining victories in the Kentucky Oaks and Breeders' Cup Distaff (GI).
"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 been on," McPeek said.
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 Oct. 29 at Del Mar.
Her 3-year-old season featured wins in the Fantasy (GII), Kentucky Oaks (GI), Acorn (GI), Coaching Club American Oaks (GI), Cotillion (GI) and Breeders' Cup Distaff (GI) as well as a memorable and narrow head defeat in the Travers (GI) to 2023 Champion Two-Year-Old Male Fierceness with eventual 2024 Champion Three-Year-Old Male Sierra Leone another 1 ¾ lengths back in third.
This year, Thorpedo Anna posted victories in the Azeri (GII), Apple Blossom (GI), Fleur de Lis (GII) and Personal Ensign (GI) before she finished a subpar fourth in the Spinster (GI) on Oct. 5 at Keeneland, her final race.
Sunday's 11-race program at Churchill Downs, opening day of the 26-day Fall Meet, will get underway at 1 p.m. and is highlighted by the $200,000 Street Sense (GIII) and $200,000 Rags to Riches as part of the 21st annual 'Stars of Tomorrow I' program for 2-year-olds.
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