Virginia’s Horse Industry Praises Bipartisan Efforts to Reopen Colonial Downs
rseVirginia Equine Alliance points to statewide benefits from track’s resurrection
Richmond, April 27, 2018 – The nonprofit statewide association that represents horse-related businesses throughout the Commonwealth is praising the recently signed legislation that will lead to the reopening of Colonial Downs in 2019. The Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) says that the resurrection of the New Kent County track, closed since 2014, will lead to a revival of Virginia’s horse… Continue reading
The following appeared in The Paulick Report April 26th.
Revolutionary Racing, together with partner Peninsula Pacific, today officially closed on the purchase of Colonial Downs, Virginia’s only horoughbred racing venue. The racetrack was purchased from its developer and long-time owner, Jacobs Entertainment, Inc. The purchase price was in excess of $20 million. The facility has been closed since 2014. Today’s purchase marks a major step toward bringing horse racing back to the Commonwealth, and is a direct result of the… Continue reading
Dates Announced For 2018 Virginia-Bred Racing Series In Maryland; Trainer/Owner Bonus Program Added To The Series
The series of Virginia-bred or sired thoroughbred races in Maryland that has been so popular the past several years will return again in 2018 and will feature a new format. Previously, the three separate Saturday programs shared a combination of stakes and maiden events. The new version will offer maiden races on Friday and stakes exclusively… Continue reading
Iselin’s, Keswick Stables and Audley Farm Top The List Of 2017 Leading Virginia Breeders
The list of top Virginia breeders by 2017 purse winnings has been announced, and horses bred by Mr. & Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin III led the way with $934,958 in earnings. Their American Dubai kicked off the year with four straight wins at Sunland Park and by year’s end, had bankrolled $332,310 from nine… Continue reading
The following was written by Nick Hahn and appeared in The Racing Biz on April 12th.
Call it a one-two punch.
Governor Ralph Northam’s signing of House Bill 1609 that allows historical horse racing at Colonial Downs and satellite facilities is the second step of a Virginia Thoroughbred industry revitalization process that actually began with a promising incentive program launched last year that is already having visible benefits.
Historical racing is a form a wagering that allows players to bet… Continue reading
The following appeared in The Paulick Report April 10, 2018.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Monday signed House Bill 1609, Returning Horse Racing to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
A statement from the governor’s office stated: The governor was pleased to sign this bill, which will enable the return of horse racing to the Commonwealth of Virginia. At the same time, the governor issued an executive directive outlining priorities he would like to see reflected in the regulations that the Virginia… Continue reading
Multiple grade 1 winner Stellar Wind, who M.V. Magnier purchased for $6 million at the 2017 Keeneland November breeding stock sale, was exported to Ireland and will be bred to leading European sire Galileo, Coolmore associates confirmed March 26.
Export records show the mare was shipped to Ireland March 9.
Stellar Wind is shown at the 2017 Keeneland November Sale… Continue reading
The following appeared in The Daily Racing Form on April 4th. Mr. Ping & Mr. Pong — the twins — are trained by Larry Curtis, who is based at the Middleburg Training Center. His wife Cindy is a VTA Board member.
Regardless of what it says on the tote board, the twins Mr. Ping and Mr. Pong will have already defied astronomical odds when they break from the gate in Friday’s fourth race at Charles Town.
The… Continue reading
The following appeared in Bloodhorse.com on April 1st.
Taking advantage of a Springdale Racecourse that favored speed, Stonelea Stable’s Balance the Budget jumped out to a yawning early advantage in the $150,000 Marion duPont Scott Colonial Cup (NSA-G1) March 31 and came home to a 6 1/4-length victory under Mark Watts.
Zanjabeel, making his first start in open company in this country, closed ground in the stretch but never threatened Balance the Budget, who recorded his second straight… Continue reading
