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VTA office
(540) 347-4313
vta@vabred.org
Promoting
a Virginia Tradition
Since 1941
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May 9, 2008 |
2006 OLD DOMINION SERIES INCREASES PURSE
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Virginia Bred and/or Sire fall race series at hunt meets
- Foxfield Races - September 24th - $5,000
3yo and up - 1 1/8 miles
- Virginia Fall Races - October 7th - $5,000
3yo and up - 1 1/4 miles
- Morven Park Races - October 14th - $5,000
3yo and up - 6 1/2 furlongs
- Great Meadows Old Dominion Stakes - $20,000
3yo and up - 1 1/4 miles
The Old Dominion Series, a showcase for Virginia Thoroughbreds racing on the flat, will build on its success with increased purses in 2006.
The Series is open to Virginia-bred and/or Virginia-sired Thoroughbreds. Running under a format similar to previous years, the Series will offer three prep races – the first at Foxfield on September 24; the second at the Virginia Fall Races, October 7; and the third at Morven Park, October 14. Horses must run in one of the three prep races in order to be eligible to run in the Series’ championship race, the $20,000 Old Dominion Stakes, held during the International Gold Cup on October 28. In 2006, the prep races will offer purses increased from $3,000 to $5,000 per race.
Inaugurated in 2002, the Old Dominion Series began as a series of five flat races held throughout Virginia in conjunction with the state’s Fall hunt meets and culminating in the $20,000 Old Dominion Stakes at the International Gold Cup. In the inaugural series, horses were required to run in at least two of the five prep races in order to be eligible to run in the final Stakes. From the list of horses meeting the eligibility requirements, 16 top point earners were chosen to start in the Stakes. Initially, the Series was open to Virginia-bred and/or Virginia-sired Thoroughbreds. In 2003, 2004 and 2005, the Series was expanded to include horses that were Virginia-owned and/or Virginia-trained.
The Series concept was unique in a number of ways: It showcased the Virginia Thoroughbred; it introduced the sport of flat racing to a new audience; and, in the $20,000 Stakes, it featured the largest purse ever offered for a flat race at a sanctioned meet. The inaugural running of the Series was an immediate and tremendous success. Several of the prep races had to be split due to the large number of entries and the final $20,000 Stakes drew a full field of 16 starters including all of the prep race winners.
Over the next years, the Series established itself as an important event for Virginia horseman and racing fans. As in its inaugural year, the prep races in the Series continued to attract such large entries that they had to be split, the Stakes continued to run with full fields, and the racing fans continued to enjoy the excitement of following their favorites throughout the Series and rooting for them to win the Stakes. The two major Virginia Thoroughbred industry leaders, the Virginia Thoroughbred Association (VTA) and the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (VaHBPA), recognized the importance of the Series to their industry and supported the event by sponsoring prep races. The Bungalow Foundation, headed by Virginia Thoroughbred enthusiasts Keith and Cheryl Early, sponsored the Old Dominion Stakes each year.
The success of the Series spawned other opportunities for Virginia Thoroughbreds. VaHPBA Director Randy Rouse spearheaded a series of seven Virginia-bred/-sired races which ran during the 2006 Point-to-Point Spring Meet. The VaHBPA, in conjunction with Rouse and David Ross, sponsored the series. “I believe we have to do everything we possibly can to promote horse racing in Virginia,” stated Rouse. “By being a part of both the Spring and Fall series, as well as the Summer meet at Colonial Downs, our Board is doing just that.”
At only four years old, the Old Dominion Series has truly been remarkable in its success and achievement: It has provided opportunities for Virginians to earn significant financial rewards for their Virginia-bred-sired Thoroughbreds; it has encouraged the creation of additional racing and financial opportunities for Virginia Thoroughbreds; it has increased the visibility of Virginia’s Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry by reaching new markets. The Series has been invaluable to the advancement of the Virginia Thoroughbred, and looking to the future, the Series’ best is yet to come.
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