The trainer of Thorpedo Anna and Mystik Dan sets his sights on the Saudi Cup with the seasoned son of Connect
By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special correspondent of Turf Diario in Saudi Arabia)
RIYADH, Arabia Saudita.- After an unforgettable 2024, Kenny McPeek is eager to deliver another stellar season. His first major test comes this Saturday in the Saudi Cup (G1), the world's richest race, where he will saddle Rattle N Roll.
The son of Connect has compiled an outstanding résumé and secured his spot in the Saudi Cup after a decisive victory in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (G1) over this track.
“We were very fortunate to have a fantastic group of horses in the barn and strong clients who allow me to go to the sales and buy. They, along with my team, make my job much easier,” McPeek said when reflecting on last season’s success.
As for Rattle N Roll’s chances in the Saudi Cup, the trainer is brimming with confidence: “He’s got a big shot. He’s a very good horse—he’s won graded races at two, three, four, five, and six, which is remarkable. We feel great about him, and I think we can win. He loves this track and has been here for two months now, fully acclimated.”
McPeek had a clear plan for his charge: “He was doing really well in Kentucky during the fall, and we decided to come to Saudi Arabia early, skipping the Pegasus World Cup. We felt that a strong prep run here would give him an even better shot in the Saudi Cup.”
Of course, no conversation with McPeek would be complete without discussing Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), the filly he guided to glory and who was crowned 2024 U.S. Horse of the Year.
“She’s doing great and is very happy, training at Fair Grounds. Most likely, she’ll return in the Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 8. She’s sensational, and there’s still a small chance we consider the Dubai World Cup (G1)—we’ll see how she comes back and how she shapes up for that. She’s given us some incredible moments.”
Looking ahead, McPeek remains open to testing Thorpedo Anna against the boys in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). “In 2024, running a three-year-old filly against males in the Classic was too much. But we’ll see how she handles 2025—if she dominates older mares, we might take a serious look at the Classic.”
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