The 2025 season didn't go as flawlessly for 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna, but when pushed to her absolute limit in the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1), fans again saw the champion's heart.
Appropriately enough, that victory likely secured a second straight Eclipse Award season for Thorpedo Anna as she lands the older dirt female division title one year after being named champion 3-year-old filly and Horse of the Year.
"She's just tough as nails," said trainer Ken McPeek of her career as well as that final glittering example in the Personal Ensign.
In that 1 1/8-mile test at Saratoga Race Course, Thorpedo Anna opened a clear advantage turning for home but Dorth Vader took up the chase, after she put away three other rivals from a group of five that had raced near the lead. Dorth Vader engaged Thorpedo Anna in midstretch but the champion proved ready for the fight.
Soon the two would match strides and Dorth Vader even put a head in front, but Thorpedo Anna, under regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr., would battle back to win the bob at the wire.
In 2024 Thorpedo Anna won six of seven starts, including victories in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and against older females in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). She did not lose a race to any filly or mare as her only loss was a courageous second to Fierceness in the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.
Opening her 4-year-old season at Oaklawn Park, Thorpedo Anna kept that ball rolling with dominating wins in the Azeri Stakes (G2) and Apple Blossom Handicap (G1), where she spotted rivals 4-7 pounds. But a four-race win streak over two seasons would end with an off-the-board finish in the La Troienne Stakes (G1) on the Kentucky Oaks undercard at Churchill Downs after being bumped hard going into the first turn.
The Kentucky-bred daughter of Fast Anna would bounce back by winning the Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) in late June at Churchill and then the all-important win in the Personal Ensign before an off-the-board finish in the Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland.
"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," McPeek noted. "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."
In August Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings purchased half of Thorpedo Anna while Magdalena Racing, Mark Edwards, and breeder Judy Hicks retained interests in the filly. Sataves, dam of Thorpedo Anna, would be named 2024 Broodmare of the Year by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Thorpedo Anna was retired in October to begin her broodmare career at Hill 'n' Dale.
The division's other two finalists were Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) winner Scylla and Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) winner Splendora.
