When retired Virginia small animal veterinarian Adam Ainspan purchased his first racehorse 22 years ago, he most likely had a dream — as any new owner would — to someday win a stakes race say, with a $500,000 purse. That dream turned into reality for Ainspan on August 31, 2023 when his thoroughbred horse Harlan […]
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For New Kent, Virginia Derby’s impact will be long-lasting
*Originally posted on www.pilotonline.com on 12/7/2024, written by Lindsay Hurt* Since joining New Kent County as the director of economic development and tourism, I’ve been asked a lot what I love about it here and what makes this community so special. The answer is easy. It’s the people who choose to live, work and play […]
Virginia Jump Meets Help National Steeplechase Association Achieve Banner Year in 2024
Based on the recent success of running several National Steeplechase Association (NSA) sanctioned races at Virginia’s spring Point-to-Point meets the past couple years, that strategy will continue and even expand in 2025 according to NSA Director of Racing Bill Gallo. “We’ve had a good experience at the Old Dominion and Blue Ridge meets and will […]
Five Star General Stallion to Stand at Covilar’s Owl Hollow Farm in Virginia
*Originally posted on covilar.com on 12/9/2024* Floyd, Virginia — December 9, 2024 — Covilar LLC (“Covilar”) is pleased to announce acquisition of 50% ownership in Five Star General through a strategic partnership with existing owner Kenny Alhadeff. Five Star General, whose nickname is “Ike,” after U.S. President and five-star general Dwight D. Eisenhower, will stand […]
Boston, Virginia-Bred Hall of Fame Thoroughbred Horse, Recognized with Historical Highway Marker in Henrico County
Boston, a Hall of Fame Virginia-bred thoroughbred horse, was feted December 1 at Historic Tuckahoe in Henrico County with a historical highway marker dedication that recognizes his prominence in the racing world. The marker was recently installed near his foaling location in the county along the westbound lanes of Route 6, at 10400-10402 Patterson Avenue. The […]
Ken Brown Retires as Track Superintendent for Maryland Jockey Club
Danny Finke Named Interim Track Superintendent In addition to working at the Maryland Jockey Club, Ken Brown played a big role in Virginia horse racing as well. Most recently, he was a dirt track consultant at the New Kent track from 2019-2023 and back in the late ’90’s, worked on construction of the 1 1/4-miles […]
2025 Colonial Downs Racing Schedule Approved at Dec. 3 VRC Meeting
Schedule includes three-day Virginia Derby meet in March Racing dates for an expanded 2025 season at Colonial Downs were approved today by the Virginia Racing Commission. The 44-day schedule starts with a special three-day Virginia Derby meet from March 13 through March 15 followed by the traditional summer meet from July 9 through September 13. The […]
Deadline to Register Stallions for the Virginia Harness Horse Association’s Sired Stakes Program is December 1
The Virginia Harness Horse Association (VHHA)’s deadline to register stallions for the Virginia Sired Stakes 2025 breeding season is December 1. Now three years old, the Sired Stake initiative complements the VHHA’s Breeder’s Fund Race program and Certified Residency program — in an effort to keep standardbred racing in the Commonwealth moving forward. Sired Stake […]
Montpelier Hunt Race’s Recap
*Originally Posted on November 8th on nationalsteeplechase.com, photos courtesy of Douglas Lees* The fourth and final fall steeplechase meet in the Commonwealth of Virginia took place on the lawn of President James Madison’s estate in Montpelier Station, northeast of Charlottesville, featuring an eight-race card worth $245,000. Headlining the event was the Grade 3 $75,000 Noel […]
First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and Governor Glenn Youngkin Announce Fifth 2024 Spirit of Virginia Award Recipients
*Press release distributed by the Office of the First Lady on November 1st, 2024, Photos by Shealah Craighead* Yesterday, Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin awarded the fifth 2024 Spirit of Virginia Awards to the Virginia Horse Center Foundation in recognition of its exceptional contributions to Virginia’s equestrian community and its impact […]
