In a stunning upset at Keeneland on October 5, the reigning Horse of the Year, Thorpedo Anna, finished a distant fourth in the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes. The heavy 1-2 favorite was beaten by 8 1/2 lengths as the 18-1 long shot Gin Gin set the pace and held on for a head-to-head victory against Nitrogen. For Thorpedo Anna, a superstar filly with 12 wins from her 16 career starts, this performance marked only the second time in her career she failed to hit the board, a profound disappointment for a champion who has accumulated over $5.4 million in earnings.

The race, expected to be her final prep for a title defense in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, instead cast a sudden shadow of uncertainty over her future. Following the race, trainer Kenny McPeek took to X to address concerned fans directly, confirming the somber news that retirement is now an immediate possibility. In the video, McPeek provided a health update, stating, “For everybody out there that’s worried about her, you can rest at ease. She’s fine.”

He reported that she had returned to the barn physically sound and had “scoped clean,” but noted a potential mild case of “the thumps,” an electrolyte imbalance that can affect performance, for which they would conduct further blood work. McPeek then delivered the core of his message, explaining that if the champion is to have a poor performance, “the best time for it to happen is this time of year,” as it allows her team to collaborate with owner John Sikura’s Hill ‘n’ Dale team to plan her breeding future.

The trainer profoundly framed her career with an analogy, saying, “I’ve used the analogy many times in my career that horses are like surfing, and you’re trying to catch a big wave. And this filly’s been the most amazing wave I’ve ever been on.” Kenny McPeek made it clear that all immediate racing plans are on hold, emphasizing that a trip to California for the Breeders’ Cup is “probably the least of our worries right now.”

The primary focus is on ensuring her health and figuring out her next steps without haste. The trainer concluded with a heartfelt acknowledgment that this may have been her final race, stating, “We’re going to make sure that she’s healthy and that, you know, that she comes out of this race. And if it’s her last race, it’s her last race. And if that’s the case, then we’re really proud of her. And we appreciate everybody’s support out there.”

If this is the end of the line for her, Thorpedo Anna’s legacy as a seven-time Grade 1 winner and 2024’s Horse of the Year remains untarnished. However, for McPeek, it’s another challenge amidst a difficult period.

Kenny McPeek’s premier jockey is out of commission for some time

“Torpedo Anna is gonna be ridden by Flavien Prat. He’s gonna ride her Spinster, Distaff if everything goes right. Outside chance, she’d go to Classic, but I think it’s doubtful,” Kenny McPeek mentioned back when the horse’s regular jockey, Brian Hernandez Jr., was taken out of contention following the severe injuries he sustained at Churchill Downs last month.

The accident occurred when Hernandez’s horse, Sgt. Garcia, broke down, leaving the 2-year-old colt gravely injured, and unfortunately, he was later euthanized. Hernandez himself suffered seven broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a lacerated liver, which meant he needed to have surgery right away at the University of Louisville Hospital. On the sporting side of things it meant that McPeek had to come up with a plan B on who would ride  Thorpedo Anna before the Spinster Stakes.

McPeek commented on Hernandez’s injuries, saying, “Well, what a rough weekend, you know, for everybody but mostly Brian. I mean, I’ve only shared some texts with him and we’ve been mostly going through Jamie, his wife, but for those that don’t know, you know, he had three or seven cracked ribs, had a lacerated liver, and also collapsed lungs. So, he’s tougher than I’d ever be. I’d be out forever on that one, but he evidently was up and around his hospital room last night.”

Indeed, the injuries Hernandez had were really something that would make anyone uncomfortable just thinking about it. Kenny McPeek is hopeful that the jockey will bounce back soon, and he’s already on the road to recovery.