Thorpedo Anna will visit Gun Runner in 2026, Curlin in '27
Thorpedo Anna, the 2024 horse of the year, will visit Gun Runner for her first mating in 2026, followed by a date with Curlin in 2027, Thoroughbred Daily News reported Tuesday.
The 4-year-old daughter of Fast Anna is owned in majority by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, which purchased a half-interest privately in August and acquired an additional 20% stake for $1 million at the Keeneland Championship Sale in October. She resides at the Paris, Ky., farm.
Thorpedo Anna retired with 12 wins in 16 starts and earnings of $5,440,913. Trained by Kenny McPeek, she captured seven Grade 1 stakes, including the Kentucky Oaks and Breeders' Cup Distaff, en route to Eclipse Awards as champion 3-year-old filly and horse of the year in 2024.
Gun Runner, who earned horse of the year honors in 2017, stands at Three Chimneys Farm in Midway, Ky., for $250,000. The 12-year-old son of Candy Ride was inducted into racing's Hall of Fame in 2024. He has sired 34 graded or group stakes winners from five crops, including Sierra Leone and Echo Zulu among his 12 Grade 1 winners. Gun Runner ranks third on the 2025 general sire list by earnings behind Into Mischief and Not This Time.
Curlin, a two-time horse of the year in 2007-08, stands at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa. The 21-year-old son of Smart Strike was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2014 and has sired 66 graded or group stakes winners over 14 crops of racing age for progeny earnings exceeding $171 million. His runners include 2023 horse of the year Cody's Wish and Preakness winner Journalism.
Future plans regarding whether the offspring will be kept to race or sold at auction remain undetermined.