Horse of the Year

Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa has acquired a half-interest in 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in a deal which includes former NFL star Marshawn Lynch, according to a press release from the farm. Trained by Kenny McPeek, who selected her as a yearling, she is one of only seven distaffers in the history of the American turf and only the second 3-year-old filly, along with the fabulous Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro), to claim the coveted title. A six-time Grade I winner with victories in the GI...

A Flightline half-sister (hip 34) to GSW Barnes (Into Mischief) brought $1,100,000 from West Point Thoroughbreds as the first offering by the Horse of the Year to come through the ring Monday at Saratoga from the Indian Creek consignment. First dam All American Dream is a half to English MGSP Wind Fire (Distorted Humor).   Hip 34 f. FLIGHTLINE o/o All American Dream sells for $1,100,000 at The Saratoga Sale! Congrats to the connections: B: @westpointtbred, L.E.B., agt C: @IndianCreekKy, agt Br: Jeff Brown & Don Rachel#FasigSaratoga @LanesEndFarms pic.twitter.com/vsa1jXZimX —...

Multiple graded winner Mo Plex (Complexity) continued his preparations for the GII Jim Dandy Stakes Friday morning at Saratoga while MGSW Echo Sound (Echo Town) has her eyes on the GI Test Stakes with her own move over the Oklahoma training track. New York-bred Mo Plex went out on Saratoga's main track Friday morning for a half-mile work in :48.84 (22/74) for trainer Jeremiah Englehart. The solo work under Manny Franco, who will have the call in the Jim Dandy, was exactly what the conditioner wanted to see. "The plan...

And just like that, last month's GI La Troienne is suddenly a distant memory. That mysterious May 2 effort, a seventh-place finish and her only off-the-board result in 13 prior starts, was righted Saturday as reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) got things back on track with a really never-in-doubt win in the GII Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis Stakes, a 'Win and You're In' race for this November's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar. Named last year's Horse of the Year and Champion 3-year-old Filly, Thorpedo...

Fortino (Chi) (Midshipman), winner of the Chilean Triple Crown and the nation's Horse of the Year in 2023, was victorious in China on June 21, taking out a 1600-meter handicap at the Yulong Jockey Club. Drawn one, the chestnut entire raced behind the speed while close up and held his spot at the fence into the final 800 meters. Sent through to challenge nearing the straight, Fortino wrested command and reported home about three-quarters of a length to the good (see below, SC 6). The final time for the contest,...

In an effort to find out why 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) ran so poorly in the GI Fasig-Tipton La Troienne S. Friday at Churchill Downs, trainer Kenny McPeek sent her to be examined by Dr. Larry Bramlage at the Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. Thorpedo Anna finished seventh and last. Coming into the race she had never been worse than second. According to McPeek, Bramlage could not find anything wrong with the 4-year-old filly. "At this point, she has a clean bill of health," McPeek...

Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), who finished seventh in Friday's GI La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs, moved fine the next morning and will be given ample time off, according to a post on X by her trainer Kenny McPeek. "Thorpedo Anna walked well this morning," McPeek wrote. "We are going to X-ray her ankles and knees then send her to Rood and Riddle for Dr Larry Bramlage to examine her. The first turn incident may have thrown her off her game, or maybe the three week...

Horse of the Year Mineshaft (A.P. Indy) has been retired from stud duty at the age of 26, and will be pensioned at Lane's End, the farm announced Monday morning. In excellent health as he transitions to the newest stage of his life, Mineshaft wraps a breeding career which saw him garner acclaim as one of the leading sons of the great A.P. Indy, including being named a top five general sire in 2024 and a top 20 lifetime active sire. Bred and campaigned by Bill Farish, James Elkins Jr.,...

Nothing wrong with planning ahead, and trainer Kenny McPeek is doing just so after the 2024 Horse of the Year came out of her GI Apple Blossom tour-de-force in fine shape, with the GI La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs next on the list for 'Rising Star' MGISW Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna). After receiving a preliminary Beyer of 93 for the romp, McPeek is already eyeballing a seventh victory at the elite level for 'the grizzly bear' and the May 2 Kentucky Oaks undercard feature is circled on the calendar....

1989 Horse of the Year Sunday Silence (Halo) has been named the 2025 Legend of Bourbon County. The award, given by the Legends of Bourbon County Thoroughbred Fund, will be part of the annual festival held October 11 and 12 in Paris, Kentucky. The festival will feature live entertainment, educational events and farm tours. "We are thrilled to honor Sunday Silence the 2025 Legend of Bourbon County, as well as partner with Stone Farm" said Lauren Biddle, chair of the Legends of Bourbon County Thoroughbred Fund. "His legacy, both as...

The reigning Horse of the Year 'TDN Rising Star' MGISW Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) has emerged from her tour de force in Saturday's GII Azeri Stakes, and is on track for an anticipated start in the GI Apple Blossom Apr. 12 at Oaklawn Park. Having emerged from her seasonal bow in said local prep for the Grade I marquee race for older fillies and mares, she will return to Fair Grounds early this week where trainer Kenny McPeek said she will train this month and 'maybe' into April before returning...

It seems only fitting the America's reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) would make her 4-year-old debut in a race named for another racemare to achieve those heights. While the effort was ultimately more workmanlike than it was scintillating, it served to shake off whatever rust might have been in play, and the Ken McPeek-trainee treated her four rivals to a front-running display, with clearly better to come over the course of the spring, summer and fall. Off at a dime on the dollar in a field...