Grade 1 winner and Colonial Downs grad Bit of Whimsy seized command in early stretch and gamely held on for a half-length win in the $174,900 Mrs. Revere Stakes (G2) on November 10 at Churchill Downs.

Virginians Joyce Young’s and Gerald McManis’s Bit of Whimsy entered off a win in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (G1) on October 13 at Keeneland Race Course. Bit of Whimsy is a Kentucky-bred by Distorted Humor, out of Kristi B. by… Continue reading →

VTA member, Dr. Francis Bush of Richmond has just released his third book titled Famous Horsewomen of Virginia. The 165 page coffee table book features the accomplishments of 23 women associated with Thoroughbred horse racing. The book shares their stories and recognizes their respective contributions to the industry.

Sales at Keeneland’s November breeding stock auction remained higher than last year after Thursday’s session, where $4.6 million was paid for 259 horses, a 20.9 percent climb from the comparable session in 2006.

The day’s top price went for Whole Emblem, a 3-year-old filly by Our Emblem sold as a broodmare prospect. She sold for $130,000 to Big D Stables and was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency as agent. The filly is a half-ssiter to Grade II Monmouth Breeders’… Continue reading →

A FIELD OF GREYS…A field of all grey thoroughbreds breaks from the gate in the annual Grey Ghost Starter Handicap at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, N.J. on Halloween night.

The $5,000 The VHBPA Starter Allowance Flat, about 1 1/4 miles on the turf: 1) Xtra Smart, Carl Rafter, Tim White, Alix White, $3,000; 2) Meshwaar, Alan Rice, William Aylor, Jr., Doris J. Brooks, $900; 3) Silver Wheat, Jeff Murphy, Teddy Mulligan, Northfield Farm, LLC, $500; 4) Remy Christine, Richard Boucher, Lilith Boucher, Lilith Boucher, $250; 5) Karoke Joe, Rylee Zimmerman, Brad MacKinnon, J.V.M. Stable, $200; 6) Summerville, Russell Hayes, Bruce Haynes, Anne Haynes, $150.

Online horse racing? We’re not so sure, but here it is.

“Welcome to Digiturf.com, the world’s most unique online horse racing game where you can own, train and race virtual horses in live 3D against a global community of members for real rewards.

Explore your stable management skills and develop your horse racing strategies while having loads of fun in this thrilling horse racing game.… Continue reading →

Robin Traywick Williams, the former Chairman of the Virginia Racing Commission, has been unanimously elected to the Board of Directors of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, the nation’s largest and oldest thoroughbred rescue group.

Williams (pictured here at the 2007 Virginia Derby Gr.III with daughter Katie) will join the TRF Board along with Dave Johnson, the renowned announcer and the long-time “Voice of the Triple Crown” for ABC Sports.The election of Johnson and Williams is consistent with the TRF’s policy of… Continue reading →

Come See Our Horses! Open HouseFriday, November 9, 2007 – 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon -Barn 4 – James River Work Center (enter JRWC off Route 6 and follow directions).

You can help us celebrate “Greener Pastures”a new partnership between the Virginia Department of Corrections and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. You will see offenders working directly with retired racehorses to gain horse management skills — it’s a program that gives everyone a Second Chance.

Please .S.V.P. by November 5th —… Continue reading →

The $500,000 QEII Stakes at Keeneland was won by a Kentucky-bred with Virginia roots. Joyce Young and Gerald McManis‘ Bit O’ Whimsy won the race over Dreaming Of Anna.

Both Young and McManis are Virginians. It was Young’s first win in Kentucky, McManis‘ first Grade I and only the second victory ever at Keeneland for trainer Barclay Tagg.

Young, from Manassas, is the sister of George Rowand. McManis is a family freind from Wintergreen.… Continue reading →

One more reminder about the 16th Annual Thoroughbred Yearling Auction conducted by the Virginia Tech MARE Center coming up on Sunday. The sale starts at 2 p.m. and inspections start at 10 a.m. In addition, there will be a cocktail party and preview on Thursday night. As usual, all proceeds go directly to the MARE Center to continue research and breeding programs.