First Quarter Recap
Derby Day Success
Turner Kobayashi, President of the VTA, put it best saying, “…We received a lot of airtime, press and social media coverage that always helps expand our mission. Great crowd and fun. The hospitality was second to none and made our guests feel special and welcomed.” Full Article
2024 VTA Champions Awards
2024 VTA Champions Awards Between races the VTA held their annual Champions Awards presenting the award recipients for 2024. It was the perfect day to thank and honor our Virginia horses, breeders, and trainers in front of a record crowd. Hunter Marek, representing Smitten Farm and Mrs. Anne Backer for Gigante’s 2024 achievements, stating, “It was absolutely perfect…the food was delicious, the company was great, and the racing couldn’t have been better! It feels good being a VTA member and seeing how far racing in Virginia has come in the last few years.” Full Article
Virginia Harness Horse Association
Construction work is well underway on a new $1.5 million barn project at the Shenandoah County fairgrounds in Woodstock, VA – home of Shenandoah Downs – that will accommodate up to 140 horses during harness meets beginning later this year. The structure will provide a safe environment for standardbred horses that reside in the track’s backstretch.
Upcoming Events
Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association
The condition book, stakes schedule, and stall applications for the 2025 summer meet at Colonial Downs in New Kent, VA, are now available online at Colonialdowns.com. Stall applications are due Friday, May 7, 2025. The backside opens to horsemen on Monday, June 23rd. The first day of training is Wednesday, June 25th.
Virginia Gold Cup · May 3, 2025
Join us for the 100th running of the Virginia Gold Cup races at Great Meadow! The VTA/VHBPA tent will be located on Members Hill. Food services open at noon and drinks are a cash-only bar. Tent reservations are open to VTA and VHBPA members for $50 per person. The owner’s tent will also be combined with our tent. Owners who have a horse(s) entered that day will receive credentials from the Gold Cup office for free admission to the tent. Reservations are open through April 24th or until the event is sold out!
2025 Spring Harness Racing
Celebrate 10 years of harness racing at Shenandoah Downs this spring and fall. Conveniently located at the Shenandoah County fairgrounds (I-81, Exit 283) there is racing every Saturday and Sunday with Pari-mutual wagering on all races.
Race days are as follows:
Saturday-Sunday April 26-June 8
Click here to view post times.
Virginia Steeplechase Association
Point-to-Point Upcoming Races
April 19 – Middleburg Spring Races
April 26 – Foxfield Spring Races
May 3 – Virginia Gold Cup
July 9 – September 13 Colonial Downs
Click here for more details
Colonial Downs Summer Meet
With the conclusion of the first spring meet in Virginia, we are looking forward to Colonial Downs’ 41-day summer meet July 9 – September 13.
Race days are as follows:
Wednesdays-Saturdays July 9- September 13
Saturday, August 9th Festival of Racing
Monday, September 1st (Labor Day)
Saturday, September 6th GIII Old Dominion Derby / Old Dominion Oaks
Reminders: Horse Owners, Breeders, and Participating Facilities
Virginia-Certified Program · 2023 Foals
Do you have a Thoroughbred who was foaled out-of-state and looking to bring it to Virginia? As a reminder, horses in our Virginia-certified program must arrive and complete 6 consecutive months (180 days) before December 31st of their 2-year-old year. All 2023 foals must arrive at a Virginia participating facility by June 30th to complete the program. Applications and applicable fees are due within 30 days of arrival.
Reminder to all Virginia Participating Facilities
Horses may move from your facility to another as long as the second facility is registered with the VTA. In these cases, we still need verification forms from every facility with the dates the horse(s) was at your farm.
Industry Related News
More Opportunities for VA-Bred/Sired & VA-Certified
April 9th the Maryland Commission approved a proposal to combine VA & MD bred stakes through March 2026.
In addition to the added stakes program, Virginia-Restricted purses at Colonial Downs are 25% higher than open races.
Six VA-bred/sired and MD-bred/sired stakes. Eligibility: VA-bred/sired and MD-bred/sired.
Four VA-bred/sired stakes. Eligibility: VA-bred/sired.
VA-Restricted races including overnight handicaps & stakes. Eligibility: VA-bred/sired, & VA-certified.
Click on the buttons below to read more on what the meet has to offer.
Road to the Kentucky Derby 2025
With two weeks until the America’s most popular race, the list of conders are in for The Kentucky Derby!