Thorpedo Anna Proves Her Champion Heart Once More, Clinching the Older Dirt Female Title!
While the 2025 racing season might not have been a perfect fairy tale for Thorpedo Anna, the reigning 2024 Horse of the Year, her performance in the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) proved she still possesses that indomitable champion's spirit when pushed to her absolute best.
And this is the part most people miss: this incredible victory likely seals the deal for a second consecutive Eclipse Award for Thorpedo Anna, adding the older dirt female division title to her impressive resume, just a year after being crowned champion 3-year-old filly and Horse of the Year.
Her trainer, Ken McPeek, perfectly captured her essence, describing her as "tough as nails." This sentiment was vividly on display during the Personal Ensign Stakes, a demanding 1 1/8-mile test at Saratoga Race Course.
In that thrilling race, Thorpedo Anna surged ahead as they rounded the final turn. However, Dorth Vader emerged as a formidable challenger, after skillfully navigating past three other rivals from a tightly packed group of five. The tension mounted as Dorth Vader drew alongside Thorpedo Anna in the homestretch, but the champion was ready for the fight. They battled stride for stride, with Dorth Vader even managing to inch ahead by a head. Yet, under the expert guidance of her regular rider, Brian Hernandez Jr., Thorpedo Anna dug deep, battling back with fierce determination to snatch the win at the wire.
Let's rewind to 2024: Thorpedo Anna was simply unstoppable, winning six out of seven starts. Her victories included the prestigious Kentucky Oaks (G1) and a triumphant performance against older mares in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). She remained undefeated against any filly or mare, with her sole blemish being a courageous second-place finish to Fierceness in the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.
Her 4-year-old campaign kicked off with a bang at Oaklawn Park, where she delivered dominant wins in the Azeri Stakes (G2) and the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1), even while conceding weight to her competitors. However, this impressive four-race win streak, spanning across two seasons, came to an end with an uncharacteristic off-the-board finish in the La Troienne Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs. This was attributed to being significantly bumped entering the first turn.
But champions don't stay down for long! The Kentucky-bred daughter of Fast Anna made a remarkable comeback, securing a win in the Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs in late June. This set the stage for her crucial victory in the Personal Ensign, before another off-the-board finish in the Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland.
Trainer Ken McPeek reflected on her 2025 season, noting, "She put in some really good races in 2025. In her wins she was very, very good, especially when you consider everyone was focused on beating her." He added, "She was mugged in the La Troienne and was probably over the top at the end. But I'm really proud of her, proud of how she ran." This resilience is truly remarkable.
In a significant development in August, Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings acquired a half-interest in Thorpedo Anna, while Magdalena Racing, Mark Edwards, and breeder Judy Hicks maintained their stakes. Adding to the family's accolades, Sataves, Thorpedo Anna's dam, was honored as the 2024 Broodmare of the Year by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Thorpedo Anna was officially retired in October to begin her new chapter as a broodmare at Hill 'n' Dale.
The other distinguished finalists for the older dirt female division were the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) winner Scylla and the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) winner Splendora.
Now, here's where it gets interesting: While Thorpedo Anna's return to the winner's circle in the Personal Ensign is undeniable, some might argue that her overall 2025 season, with its ups and downs, doesn't quite match the sheer dominance of her 2024 campaign. Do you believe her grit and determination in key races outweigh any perceived inconsistencies? Or should a Horse of the Year have a more flawless season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take on what truly defines a champion!
(A correction was made to the original headline of this story due to an initial factual error.)
