Though Mother Nature’s relentless storms caused an adjusted schedule of the under tack shows and the sale days, the Midtlantic 2-Year-Olds in training sale still set record highs for gross, average and median sales.
After 326 horses sold in the ring during a marathon session on Tuesday, May 20th, the record setting gross came to $44,192,500. The sale was seen as “a sale to remember,” for many reasons. Four horses sold for $1+ million; the first time this sale has ever seen more than one horse sell for a million dollars.
Among the 586 horses listed in the catalogue, 26 of them were registered with the Virginia Thoroughbred Association. The Virginia-certified horses, which are appealing to buyers due to the lucrative incentive programs available, sold for an average of $86,500. Hip 208, a chestnut filly by Practical Joke out of Kitten Empress, was the highest selling Virginia-certified horse going to trainer Norm Casse for $285,000. This filly was certified at Timbercreek Farm under the care of Sara and Zach Miller in Charlottesville, Virginia. During the preview she breezed in :10.3.
Hip 510 was the second highest selling Virginia-certified horse going to Augustus Mcrae for $180,000. This 2-year-old dark bay colt by Vekoma out of Yalisha was certified at Ballyerin Racing, LLC with Madison Meyers and Kieron Norris in Middleburg, Virginia.
Hip 510 (Vekoma – Yalisha, by Run Production). Tibor Photography.
The Virginia-breeding program continues to grow as horsemen throughout the country see the additional lucrative benefits associated with owning and racing a Virginia-bred.
The highest selling 2-year-old Virginia-bred was Hip 337. The chestnut filly by Vekoma out of Rachel’s Smokin sold for $200,000 to Colts Neck Stables. The 2-year-old was bred by Gerard Lopez.
Hip 337 (Vekoma – Rachel’s Smokin, by Sky Mesa). Tibor Photography.
The second highest selling Virginia-bred in the sale sold for $150,000 to Huburt Guy Bloodstock. Hip 65, a bay filly by Charlatan out of Compensate, was bred by Virginia native Ann Mudge Backer/Smitten Farm.
Hip 65 (Charlatan – Compensate, by Liam’s Map). Tibor Photography.
The Fasig-Tipton Mid Atlantic two year old sale was a solid success for Virginia-bred and certified horses further showing the value and benefits of these growing programs. For more information go to www.vabred.org.
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.
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.
The under tack show takes place June 10-14 starting at 7:30am each day in Ocala, Florida.
The under tack show is as follows: June 10 (1-172), June 11 (173-343), June 12 (344-386, supplements 387-430, 451-534), June 13 (535-705), June 14 (706-833, supplements 834-873, HRA 901-903). Each day starts at 7:30am.
Tuesday, June 17th hips 1-386 + 2YOs in training Supplements will go to the sales ring. Continuing Wednesday, June 18th are hips 451-833 + 2YOs in training Supplements as well as HORA 901-903 + HORA Supplements.
See the file below for all Virginia Bred and Virginia Certified horses listed in the sale.
The Star De Naskra: MD/VA-Bred or Sired · 3-Year-Olds · 7 Furlongs · $125,000
The Miss Disco: MD/VA-Bred or Sired · Fillies 3-Year-Olds · 7 Furlongs · $125,000
Friday,July 18, 2025
The Punch Line Stakes: VA-Bred or Sired · 3-Year-Olds and up · 5½ Furlongs (Turf) · $125,000
The Edward P. Evans Stakes: VA-Bred or Sired · 3-Year-Olds and up · 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) · $125,000
Saturday, July 19, 2025
The Glenn Petty: VA-Bred or Sired · Fillies & Mares 3-Year-Olds and up · 5½ Furlongs (Turf) · $125,000
The Brookmeade Stakes: VA-Bred or Sired · Fillies & Mares 3-Year-Olds and up · 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) · $125,000
Saturday, July 26, 2025
The Love Sign: Fillies & Mares 3-Year-Olds and up · 6 Furlongs · $100,000
The Reigh Count: 3-Year-Olds and up · 7 Furlongs · $100,000
Saturday, August 2, 2025
The Hickory Tree: Virginia Restricted (VA-Bred/Sired/Certified) (Plus $50,000 for VA-Bred or Sired) · 2 Year-Olds · 5½ Furlongs · $100,000
The Keswick: Virginia Restricted (VA-Bred/Sired/Certified) (Plus $50,000 for VA-Bred or Sired) · Fillies 2-Year-Olds · 5½ Furlongs · $100,000
Thursday, August 7, 2025
The Randolph D. Rouse Stakes: Fillies & Mares 4-Year-Olds and up · 2¼ Miles (Hurdle) · $100,000
Saturday, August 9, 2025
The Petramalo Mile: 3-Year-Olds · 1 Mile · $100,000
The Tyson Gilpin: Fillies 2-Year-Olds · 7 Furlongs · $100,000
The Secretariat (Gr. 2): 3-Year-Olds · 1 Mile (Turf) · $500,000
The Van Clief Stakes (Listed): 3-Year-Olds and up · 5½ Furlongs (Turf) · $150,000
The Andy Guest Stakes: Fillies & Mares 3-Year-Olds and up · 5½ Furlongs (Turf) · $150,000
The Beverly D. (Gr. 2): Fillies & Mares 3-Year-Olds and up · 1 3/16 Miles (Turf) · $500,000
The Arlington Million (Gr. 1): 3-Year-Olds and up · 1¼ Miles (Turf) · $1,000,000
Saturday, August 16, 2025
The Find: MD/VA-Bred or Sired · 3-Year-Olds and up · 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) · $125,000
The All Brandy: MD/VA-Bred or Sired · Fillies & Mares 3-Year-Olds and up · 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) · $125,000
Saturday, August 23, 2025
The Jamestown Stakes: MD/VA-Bred or Sired · 2-Year-Olds · 5½ Furlongs (Turf) · $125,000
The Dolley Madison: MD/VA-Bred or Sired · Fillies 2-Year-Olds · 5½ Furlongs (Turf) · $125,000
Saturday, August 30, 2025
The Meadow Stable Handicap: Virginia Restricted (VA-Bred/Sired/Certified) (Plus $50,000 for VA-Bred or Sired) · 3-Year-Olds and up · 5½ Furlongs (Turf) · $100,000
The Camptown Handicap: Virginia Restricted (VA-Bred/Sired/Certified) (Plus $50,000 for VA-Bred or Sired) · Fillies & Mares 3-Year-Olds and up · 5½ Furlongs (Turf) · $100,000
Thursday, September 4, 2025
The Life’s Illusion, Hurdle Stakes: Fillies & Mares 4-Year-Olds and up · 2¼ Miles (Hurdle) · $100,000
Saturday, September 6, 2025
The Exacta Systems Rosie’s Stakes: 2-Year-Olds · 5½ Furlongs (Turf) · $125,000
Da Hoss Stakes: 3-Year-Olds and up · 5½ Furlongs (Turf) · $150,000
Kitten’s Joy Stakes: 2-Year-Olds · 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) · $125,000
The Old Dominion Derby (Gr. 3): 3-Year-Olds · 1⅛ Miles (Turf) · $500,000
The Old Dominion Oaks (Listed): Fillies 3-Year-Olds · 1⅛ Miles (Turf) · $250,000
The Colonial Cup: 3-Year-Olds and up · 1½ Miles (Turf) · $150,000
Saturday, September 13, 2025
The Bert Allen Handicap: Virginia Restricted (VA-Bred/Sired/Certified) (Plus $50,000 for VA-Bred or Sired) · 3-Year-Olds and up · 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) · $100,000
The Nellie Mae Cox Handicap: Virginia Restricted (VA-Bred/Sired/Certified) (Plus $50,000 for VA-Bred or Sired) · Fillies & Mares 3-Year-Olds and up · 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) · $100,000
CLICK HERE to view the condition book and index on Equibase
Dedicated to the success of racing, breeding, and agribusiness.
We certainly hope you are able to attend, if not please help the industry by contributing to Delegate Krizek’s campaign.
Delegate Krizek grew up around harness racing. He has taken the time to educate himself on our industry issues and is a friend of Virginia’s horse industry. He represents Fairfax County and is a member of the General Assembly’s General Laws and Appropriations Committees, where most of our racing legislation is heard. As Chair of the General Laws Gaming Subcommittee, he was listed as a patron on the 2025 bill that moved all gaming activities including racing under a single Gaming Commission. Delegate Krizek worked with us this year to ensure the horse industry was protected if the Gaming Commission moved forward. We look forward to working closely with him in the years ahead.
Join us for hors d’oeuvres and cocktails on June 11th at the Middleburg Community Center. It’ll be a terrific time to get to know Delegate Krizek and hear from him directly.
Details are as follows:
300 W. Washington St., Middleburg, VA, 20117
5:00pm-7:00pm; remarks will be around 6:00pm
Parking will be located behind the building past the picnic area
Political contributions are not tax deductible. Unlimited corporate, PAC and personal contributions may be accepted. We are required to report occupation and employer information for individual donors over $100. Paid for by the Virginia Equine Pac and authorized by Krizek for Delegate.
*Story originally posted on nationalsteeplechaseassociation.com on 5/7/2025, written by Emma Cary, Photos courtesy of Douglas Lees*
Photo Credit to Liz Callar
Despite some ominous weather in Virginia, fan turnout was undeterred as the Virginia Gold Cup celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Six races were on tap at Great Meadow Race Course – a seventh was cancelled when storms blew in – including three stakes highlighted by the season’s first Grade 1, the $150,000 Commonwealth Cup, and the eponymous $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup timber stakes.
In the Commonwealth Cup, Riverdee Stable’s Cool Jet, a two-time novice stakes winning Irish-bred, earned his first victory since 2023 and first Grade 1 ever with a tactical front-running performance under veteran reinsman Bernie Dalton. Dalton, the NSA’s -most seasoned rider, is having a sensational spring, with more than $200,000 in earnings, good enough for second in the standings. Under Dalton’s skilled handling, the nine-year-old broke on top, controlled the pace, and never looked back, drawing off from a classy field of seven by 7 1/4 lengths.
Cool Jet in the Winners circle with owner Sean Clancy and other connections. (Photo by Douglas Lees)
Ballybristol Farm’s Noble Anthem (Evan Dwan), exiting a 115 handicap score at the Carolina Cup Races in his NSA debut following a long career in Europe, was second with Irv Naylor’s G1-conqueror of Snap Decision, Too Friendly, third under Jordan Canavan.
In the Gold Cup, one of only two $100,000 timber races on the calendar, Dolly Fisher’s Keys Discount captured his second consecutive stake with a 1 3/4-length victory, coming from off-the-pace in the centennial running of the storied event.
Keys Discount ridden by Graham Waters jumping a fence in their win of the 100th Gold Cup (Photo by Douglas Lees)
With Graham Watters aboard, who made a speedy recovery from a bad spill at Middleburg two weeks ago, the Maryland-bred six-year-old grabbed an early lead then backed off as Uco Valley (James O’Sullivan) took charge, regaining the top spot at around the 3 1/2-mile mark, and drew clear through the stretch following a duel with Irv Naylor’s Family Tree (Jordan Canavan). Daniel Colhoun, Achsah O’Donovan, and Harvey Goolsby’s Bogey’s Image (Sean McDermott) was third.
In a third stake on the day, the $50,000 Speedy Smithwick for four-year-olds, Fisher and Watters joined forces once again, this time with Northwoods Stable’s Mission North, who romped by 27 lengths in the three-horse field. For Mission North, another Maryland-bred, it was his second consecutive score following his maiden tally in his NSA debut at the Old Dominion Hounds meet in early April. Actually, it was the son of Noble Mission’s third win in a row, if you include his final race on the flat at Laurel.
Mission North, ridden by Graham Watters, on the way to the winner’s circle. (Photo by Douglas Lees)
In other action
A sorcerer’s apprentice no more
Runnymoore Racing’s The Wizards Well made his first trip to the winner’s circle in five career starts, leading from start to finish in the opener at Gold Cup, a $40,000 maiden special weights contest.
The Great Meadow Maiden Hurdle race winner at the finish #3 The Wizard’s Well, ridden by Harrison Beswick. (Photo by Douglas Lees)
With Harry Beswick riding for trainer Todd McKenna, the five-year-old Irish-bred led the field of 10 from the start, leading by a length and a half for the first mile and a half, then extending his advantage after Risk Taking (Gerard Galligan) slipped and fell on the final turn. The margin of victory was 20 lengths. Bruton Street-US’ Derby Street (Graham Watters) was second in his second start over jumps, while Jacqueline Ohrstrom’s Blueflagflyinghigh (Mell Boucher) was third.
Fashion Line cements his status as the new king of the steeplethon
Armata Stables’ Fashion Line captured his second steeplethon in three weeks, his third in his last four outings, and fourth overall, with a determined one-length tally over gritty challenger Animal Kingston.
The Arthur W. Arundel Memorial Steeplethon winner #1 Fashion Line, ridden by Gerard Galligan leads the field through the wet. (Photo by Douglas Lees)
The steeplethon, a $20,000 race at 2 5/8 miles contested over timber, natural brush fences, and through water, is a unique test, and the nine-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Morning Line was more than up to the challenge.
Once again ridden by Gerard Galligan for trainer Kathy Neilson, Fashion Line sat patiently, gradually moving up from fifth to fourth, to third at the two-mile mark as Runnymoore Racing’s Old Style Humor (Dan Nevin) set the pace. He assumed the lead heading into the final turn, opened up by three, and held on by a length over Will Russell’s Animal Kingston (James O’Sullivan). It was far back to Gill Johnston’s Mortlach in third.
Active Duty pulls rank in $45,000 allowance
Gill Johnston’s Minella Juke may have been the betting favorite in the non-winners of two contest, but at the wire it was his 4-1 Johnston stablemate Active Duty who stole the show with a three-length victory in the field of nine.
Active Duty heading towards the finish line, ridden by Bernie Dalton. (Photo by Douglas Lees)
With Bernie Dalton riding for trainer Tom Garner, the French-bred six-year-old son of millionaire and multiple group 1 winner Almanzor rated off the pace, rallied two fences from home, and drove past Irv Naylor’s Sultan Pierji (Evan Dwan) for the score. Riverdee Stable’s Palio (Stephen Mulqueen) was third.
The win was the second straight for Active Duty, who was coming off of a year-and-a-half layoff. Active Duty broke his maiden at Aiken in November 2023.
