Nominations closed on Wednesday for the six pack of turf stakes scheduled for Virginia Derby Day on Saturday, Sept. 7, which is closing day at Colonial Downs. With $1.3million in combined purses, the Grade 3 $500,000 New Kent County Virginia Derby leads the charge along with the $250,000 Woodford Reserve Virginia Oaks (Listed), $150,000 VisitRVA.com […]
News
Nations Pride Triumphant in the Aug. 11, Gr. 1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs
Godolphin’s homebred Nations Pride produced a valiant run in the stretch to triumph in the 2024 Grade 1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs. Adding to Santin’s score in 2022 and Sulamani’s in 2003, Godolphin now boasts three Arlington Million victories. Trained by Charlie Appleby and piloted by William Buick, Nations Pride covered the 1¼-miles distance […]
Virginia Derby to Become Kentucky Derby Qualifier Race at Colonial Downs in 2025
Winning Horse will Compete in the Iconic Run for the Roses Colonial Downs Racetrack (“Colonial Downs”) announced during the annual Festival of Racing that the 2025 Virginia Derby has earned the distinction as a “win and you’re in” qualifying race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the landmark event for […]
Nominations Set for Colonial Downs’ Virginia Champions Day on August 31
Nominations closed for five turf stakes on the Virginia Champions Day program scheduled for Saturday, August 31 at Colonial Downs that will showcase Virginia-bred, -sired and -certified horses with $725,000 in purse money on the line. The four $150,000 events –the Camptown, Bert Allen, Meadow Stable and Nellie Mae Cox — are open to horses […]
Chenery/Tweedy Family Names Leeanne Meadows Ladin First Recipient of the Inaugural Penny Chenery Award
In keeping with Penny Chenery’s long career of celebrating Secretariat’s legacy, promoting the best in racing, and honoring excellence in Thoroughbred athletes, the inaugural Penny Chenery award was presented to author/historian Leeanne Meadows Ladin of Montpelier, VA. The presentation was made on August 11 at Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent, VA after the running […]
Virginia Thoroughbred Association’s “Nothing Like It” Campaign Highlights Lucrative Breeders Bonus Program
The Virginia Thoroughbred Association (VTA) unveiled a new “Nothing Like It” advertising campaign which emphasizes benefits to breeders of registered Virginia-bred horses — who earn bonuses for finishing first, second and third in any open race in North America. Up until last year, bonuses were only paid to horses who finished first in those races. Additionally, bonuses […]
Winfinity, Candycrumbs Score in Keswick & Hickory Tree 2-Year-Old Dirt Stakes at Colonial Downs
Dream Big Racing, LLC’s Winfinity and Mary Lightner’s Candycrumbs each captured a $150,000 Virginia-Restricted dirt stakes for 2-year-olds August 3 at Colonial Downs in a similar, dramatic come-from-behind running style. The former was 1-1/4 lengths the best in the Keswick for fillies while the latter crossed 1-1/4 lengths in front in the Hickory Tree for […]
Shenandoah Downs Racing Applications for 2024 Fall Meet Are Due August 5
Shenandoah Downs Racing Applications for 2024 Fall Meet Are Due August 5 Just a reminder to horsemen that racing applications for the upcoming fall harness season at Virginia’s Shenandoah Downs are available online and due to the racing office by this coming Monday, August 5. A 7-week meet will run from September 14 – […]
Virginia-Certified Freshmen Line Up for Pair of $150,000 Stakes at Colonial Downs
Bonne Fille breaks her maiden at Colonial Downs on July 11 (Coady Media).
Virginia Racing Commission Appoints Waqas Ahmed as Its Executive Secretary
The Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) announced today that it has appointed Waqas Ahmed to serve as its Executive Secretary, effective August 10th. Ahmed brings a wealth of knowledge to the Commission. Most recently, Ahmed served as the Deputy Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, the agency charged with promoting and regulating horse racing, […]
