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 Virginia horse racing from the winner’s circle at Colonial Downs alongside First Lady Suzanne Youngkin, Secretary of Agriculture Matthew Lohr, Delegate Amanda Batten, Churchill Downs Incorporated (“Churchill Downs”) CEO Bill Carstanjen and Churchill Downs Board Chairman Alex Rankin.

“Churchill Downs has worked with partners throughout the Commonwealth to reinvigorate Virginia’s proud legacy of thoroughbred racing and secure our place as a worldclass destination for racing fans and equine talent from around the world,” said Governor Youngkin. “The future for thoroughbred racing in Virginia has never been brighter and this opportunity will allow us to shine on horseracing’s biggest stage.”

The Virginia Derby has traditionally been a turf race that signified the culmination of the summer racing season. This year’s Virginia Derby turf race, along with live entertainment and family friendly activities, will be held as scheduled on September 7, 2024. Next year, as part of a 50-point race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the Virginia Derby will transition to the dirt track and be held on March 15, 2025,
anchoring a new four-day spring meet at Colonial Downs. The winning horse will be guaranteed a post position in the starting gate for the 151st Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2025, at legendary Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky.

Speaker of the House Don Scott shared his enthusiasm for the announcement, saying, “It is exciting that the Road to the Kentucky Derby will now run through Virginia. Churchill Downs has elevated the stature and economic impact of thoroughbred racing in the Commonwealth while creating jobs, generating significant tax revenue in communities around the state, and offering race fans a memorable experience at the track.”

“We are thankful for the investment of Churchill Downs in the Virginia horseracing industry. In 2025, Colonial Downs will race 47 days which is up from 27 days in 2022, the last race meet before Churchill Downs acquired Colonial Downs,” said Secretary Lohr. “Besides adding prestigious and lucrative races for horsemen, more race days drives significant economic impact throughout Virginia’s entire agricultural sector leading to a healthy breeding industry, stronger equine infrastructure, and more employment
opportunities across the Commonwealth.”

“Today’s announcement is not only exciting for tourism in our district,” said Delegate Batten, “but also demonstrates a commitment to horseracing that will ensure Colonial Downs is a premier destination for generations to come.”

Dates for the Colonial Downs spring meet are contingent on approval of the Virginia Racing Commission.