Great news about Secretariat’s Meadow Stable is below, but just a reminder to mark your calendars – Secretariat’s annual birthday celebration has been scheduled for Saturday March 28 in the Plaza around Ashland’s beautiful bronze “Secretariat Racing Into History” monument! This free family-style event offers more activities for kids, more vendors and food trucks, more exclusive Secretariat merchandise and a new attraction guaranteed to bring many smiles – the MINI horses from the Caroline County 4-H Triple Crown Club. More details are at secretariatforvirginia.org.

Nearly 350 acres of farmland where the legendary Triple Crown champion Secretariat frolicked as a colt are now protected forever by a conservation easement held by the Capital Region Land Conservancy. Known as “The Cove,” the low-lying pasture bordered by the North Anna River was the “nursery” for the broodmares and foals of Christopher Chenery’s renowned Meadow Stable, founded in 1936. The Cove’s rich grasses nurtured many other celebrated Thoroughbreds such as Riva Ridge, who won the 1972 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, and the eminent broodmare, Somethingroyal, dam of Secretariat. In fact, The Cove was instrumental in establishing The Meadow as “an empire built on broodmares.”

Today, thanks to the generosity of Kevin Engel of Engel Family Farms, who purchased The Cove in 2023, the historic land will remain dedicated to agricultural use.

“Purchasing The Cove and restoring it to its heyday when Secretariat was running around on it has been a dream of mine for many years,” said Kevin Engel. “It is so important for my business to secure farmland from the threats of big warehouses, solar panels, data centers, and housing subdivisions but also for my grandchildren to be on land that is preserved without asphalt and concrete everywhere.”

“Our family has highly valued conservation easements to protect lands. We are so grateful to know that Kevin is carrying forward the stewardship of this historic property and he has seen fit to put a conservation easement on it,” said Kate Chenery Tweedy. “My Mom and Granddad would be so pleased by this action.”

The Cove lies just north of the Meadow Event Park in Caroline County, which was also part of the original Meadow Stable. The Park is the site of the State Fair of Virginia and owned by the Virginia Farm Bureau. Secretariat’s foaling shed and other original barns there are designated state and national historical landmarks.

Mr. Engel’s deep attachment to The Cove originated over 40 years ago when he began his farming career working this land. He started Engel Family Farms with its central office and operations located at Cabin Hill Farm in Hanover County. It has grown to include his wife Denise and children Chris, Casey and Savannah who share ownership of “The Cove” and contribute to the success of the family business. Today, “The Cove” represents a fraction of the 2,167 acres owned by Engel Family Farms and an even smaller share of the 30,000 acres (37 square miles) that the company leases across 21 localities in Virginia and North Carolina where they grow corn, soybeans, milo, maize, wheat, barley, and rye.

With over 200 different landlords, the Engel family is accustomed to working historic properties such as farmland leased from the National Park Service as well as Henrico County at Varina Farm and Wilton. Mr. Engel joined the Board of Capital Region Land Conservancy after being introduced to the organization when it saved the 871-acre Malvern Hill Farm where he had been farming.

When he was named as a 2023 Top Producer of the Year finalist by Farm Journal, Mr. Engel expressed some regret in not having invested more into buying farmland earlier in his career. He is not alone. The United States Census of Agriculture reports 33% of all agricultural acreage in Virginia was leased in 2022. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also reports that farm real estate values in Virginia increased 10.4% between 2023 and 2024 whereas annual rental rates were $71 per acre for non-irrigated cropland in Caroline County as reported by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service.

The conservation easement protects 156 acres of agricultural cropland of which approximately 136 acres are Prime Farmland or Soils of Statewide Significance. The USDA defines Prime Farmland as “land with the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops and is also available for these land uses. The soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply are those needed for the soil to economically produce sustained high yields of crops when proper management, including water management, and acceptable farming methods are applied. In general, prime farmland has an adequate and dependable supply of moisture from precipitation or irrigation, a favorable temperature and growing season, acceptable acidity or alkalinity, an acceptable salt and sodium content, and few or no rocks. The water supply is dependable and of adequate quality. Prime farmland is permeable to water and air. It is not excessively erodible or saturated with water for long periods, and it either is not frequently flooded during the growing season or is protected from flooding.”

The conservation easement also protects 190 acres of forestland. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Natural Heritage Data Explorer (NHDE) and Virginia Conservation Lands Database (VCLD) identifies the forest portion of the property as lying within an ecological core area of general conservation value.

Other protections afforded by the conservation easement on “The Cove” include approximately a half mile (2,420 linear feet) along the North Anna River, which flows into the Pamunkey River and further downstream into the York River and Chesapeake Bay. A riparian buffer is required between the river and the historic dike. All new structures larger than 500 square feet must be constructed within a building envelope located off Signboard Road thus preserving the historic and scenic views for the traveling public along Route 30 (Dawn Boulevard).

“There isn’t anyone more dedicated to preserving working farmland as Kevin Engel and his family, who fully understand the proverb that teaches ‘We Do Not Inherit the Earth from Our Ancestors; We Borrow It from Our Children’”, said Parker C. Agelasto, Executive Director of Capital Region Land Conservancy. “Many future generations will appreciate their generosity to conserve The Cove and preserve the home of Secretariat.”

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About Capital Region Land Conservancy (CRLC): Capital Region Land Conservancy is dedicated to conserving the natural and historic resources of Virginia’s Richmond region for the benefit of people and nature. The nonprofit land trust serves the City of Richmond and 19 surrounding counties. Since 2005, CRLC has helped protect more than 15,000 acres, including easements on more than 5,000 acres.  www.capitalregionland.org

About Secretariat and Meadow Stable: In 1936, Chris Chenery (1886-1973) purchased 2,798 acres known as “The Meadow” that once belonged to his cousin Dr. Charles Morris (1778-1842) but which had left the family’s ownership decades before. Chenery immediately got to work on restoring a dike that was said to have been built using labor of enslaved people in the 1820s. He also drained “The Cove” to return it to arable land and pasture. Secretariat was born at Meadow Stable on March 30, 1970. His race records in the 1973 Triple Crown have never been broken. His bloodline remains strong today as evidenced by the 2025 Triple Crown races in which every horse was a descendant of Secretariat. For more information, please see www.Secretariat.co and www.SecretariatforVirginia.org

At its December 15 meeting, the Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) approved an expanded and adjusted 48-day live racing season for Colonial Downs Racetrack in 2026. This will be the most live racing days ever held in one season at Colonial in its nearly thirty-year history.

To make live racing more accessible to Virginia race fans and families, each race week throughout the summer will feature an additional day of weekend racing with a new Thursday through Sunday schedule. Standard post time for race days will be 12:30 PM. The 2025 meet featured a Wednesday thru Saturday schedule.

The season will begin with a special three-day Virginia Derby meet on March 12-14 anchored by the $500,000 Derby on Saturday, March 14. After a sold-out 2025 race that drew more than 8,000 race fans to Virginia’s premier thoroughbred racetrack, the stakes will again serve as Virginia’s only Kentucky Derby qualifier race with the winning horse securing a spot in the field for the 152^nd Kentucky Derby at historic Churchill Downs.

Following the March meet, the racing season will continue with 45 days of live racing each Thursday through Sunday from June 25 through a special day of racing on Labor Day, Monday, September 7. The summer meet will include the annual Colonial Downs Festival of Racing with the iconic Arlington Million, the Old Dominion Derby, and additional high-profile graded stakes races throughout the summer. 

“With a Kentucky Derby qualifier, new weekend race days, and the biggest racing schedule in track history, 2026 promises to be an unforgettable season at Colonial Downs,” said Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing Operations. “We cannot wait to welcome horsemen from around the country to Virginia for another season of competition.”

Hopf addressed VRC Commissioners at the meeting and noted some positive takeaways from the 2025 campaign. He said the $6.5 million handle on Virginia Derby Day — the first time the Derby was contested on dirt — was a record and that the top two finishers, American Promise & Render Judgment, went on to compete in the “Run for the Roses”. Tickets for the 2026 Virginia Derby went on sale November 10 and to date, 2,600 tickets have been sold. In comparison, the 2025 edition had 1,100 tickets sold as of February 1 — and it still resulted in an advance sale sellout. 

Hopf said a total of $110 million was bet over this year’s 44-day meet which established a record. A new 40-person backstretch dormitory opened in time for the summer meet which increased horsemen housing capacity to 240 people. Colonial received more stall and dorm applications than there was space for. He praised the efforts of Racing Secretary Dan Bork and the race office staff who improved the track’s overnight programs. Hopf added the track expanded its capacity in the third floor Jockey Club Dining Room from 324 to 524 by removing higher limit HHR terminals to free up space for track attendees.       

When asked about the upcoming meet schedule change — from Wednesday thru Saturday to a Thursday thru Sunday weekly slate instead — Hopf said “It looked like the regular patrons chose either Wednesday or Thursday to attend, but not both days. We felt by switching out Wednesday with Sunday and offering full weekend cards throughout the summer that more fans would be encouraged to attend.”      

Virginia HBPA Executive Director Glen Berman also spoke at the VRC meeting and said his group has secured a horsemen’s contract with Colonial heading into the 2026 season. He noted four key points in his presentation.

Stability, with48 race days spread between two seasons over five different months. 

Quality, with a Grade 1 Stakes leading the way. The Arlington Million will continue to anchor Colonial’s signature Festival of Racing card which produced a record $10.4 million wagering handle in 2025. Other graded stakes on the under card that day include the G2 Beverly D and G2 Secretariat. 

Investment, with infrastructure improvements in the paddock, turf course, irrigation system and handicap accessibility to some of the backstretch areas. Current pavers in the saddling paddock will be replaced with new ones — not just in the walking ring area but in paddock stalls and on the path to the track entrance/exit area. The paddock surface will also be excavated and backfilled, and additional drainage will be added. Turf course drainage in the east end of the track will be improved with plans to have that in place by 2027. The extra time will avoid any disruption during the upcoming season. The overall turf course irrigation system project is in its final phase and will be completed by race time. Improved wheelchair access to the paddock and backstretch areas like the race office and horsemen’s building will be in place for the meet as well. 

Growth, with flexibility to expand the number of racing dates in 2027 based on performance of Colonial’s Historical Horse Racing (HHR) terminals. There are currently 4,867 machines deployed at various Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums around the state including 1,650 at The Rose Gaming Resort & Hotel in Dumfries and 1,199 at the Richmond location. 

Berman also noted that horse shuttles will operate again on race days from Fair Hill, and possibly from Laurel on days when the Virginia and Maryland meets don’t overlap. Initially, Laurel’s spring schedule will conflict with the New Kent track’s slate on two days — March 13 & 14.  

Entries will again be taken one week in advance of each actual race day. For the spring meet, Hopf plans to open the stable area on Saturday March 7 with training available the next day. For the summer meet, the stable area will open two weeks out and stay open one week after the last race day. Training will be available seven days a week.  

Details on a plan for steeplechase racing in the 2026 summer meet are still being worked on. Options include continuing the program like this past season — where jump races took place on Thursday’s before the flat portion of  Colonial’s card began —  or running jump races on separate days away from flat race cards. The Virginia Gold Cup, which offers pari-mutuel wagering, was awarded their traditional dates at the VRC meeting. Their spring meet will take place on Saturday  May 2 and the fall session is slated for October 24.   

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Dr. Richard Harden, Long Time Virginia Equine Vet, Recognized at VRC Meeting 

Members of the Virginia Racing Commission recognized Dr. Richard Harden for over two decades of service to the Virginia Racing Commission and Virginia horse racing industry at its December meeting. 

Dr. Harden brought his extensive expertise as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine to the Commission, serving in critical roles including Commission Veterinarian and Equine Medical Director. Throughout his tenure, Dr. Harden was a steadfast advocate for the health, safety and welfare of the equine athlete, ensuring that the highest standards of veterinary care and integrity were maintained at Virginia’s racetracks. A proclamation was presented to Dr. Harden noting the Commission’s “appreciation for his years of faithful service and significant contributions to the horse racing industry in the Commonwealth.”    

Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger is appointing Katie K. Frazier to serve as Virginia’s Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry.

“Agriculture is the number-one private industry in Virginia. Our Commonwealth deserves dedicated leadership that brings Virginia crop and livestock producers, foresters, business leaders, and community members together to protect and grow this critical sector of our economy,” Spanberger said Wednesday. “That’s why I’m excited to announce the appointment of Katie Frazier to serve as our next Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. Especially at this moment marked by uncertainty across the farm economy, I know that Ms. Frazier’s decades supporting Virginia’s growers and their families will provide the steady experience our agriculture and forestry industries need.”

A native of the Shenandoah Valley, Frazier has served as the chief brand officer for Farm Credit of the Virginias since 2018. She leads the financial cooperative’s marketing, legislative and advocacy efforts, education, the Farm Credit Knowledge Center, stakeholder and community relations, and charitable contributions programs. She has also served as the executive director of the Virginia Agribusiness Council.

 “I am deeply honored to be appointed by Governor-elect Spanberger to serve as the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry for the Commonwealth of Virginia. With over twenty years of experience advocating for agriculture, forestry, and our rural communities, I am excited to work alongside the Governor-elect and her team to provide leadership and direction for Virginia’s top industries,” said Frazier. “Governor-elect Spanberger has been a steadfast champion and supporter of agriculture and forestry, a commitment that began during her time in Congress serving on the House Agriculture Committee. I look forward to collaborating with the Spanberger Administration, the General Assembly, and our partners to continue advancing a vision of economic growth and prosperity for our farmers, foresters, and agribusinesses.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends of Sam English II, DDS who passed away last weekend at the age of 80. Mr. English operated a flourishing thoroughbred racing and breeding business, English Racing Stables, based out of Dinwiddie. His obituary follows.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Sam Earl English II, DDS, a principled, moral, and profoundly kind man of faith whose life was defined by integrity, devotion, and quiet strength. He passed away on November 27, 2025, leaving behind a legacy built not on accolades alone, but on the countless lives he touched with generosity, wisdom, and unwavering character.

Born on August 9, 1945, in Portsmouth, VA, Sam distinguished himself from a young age. He graduated early from Hermitage High School and entered the Virginia Military Institute at just sixteen. At VMI, he excelled academically and as a leader, before graduating and continuing his path of discipline and achievement at the Medical College of Virginia, where he earned his degree in Dentistry.

During his time at MCV, Sam met and married Mary Jane Lowery. Shortly after his graduation, the couple moved to Fort Benning, where Sam honorably fulfilled his military commitment, rising to Captain with the United States Army.

Following his service, Sam and Mary Jane returned to his beloved home state of Virginia-now with a daughter and another soon to follow-so he could remain close to the family he held dear. It was in Virginia that Sam began building what would become one of his greatest professional accomplishments: a dental practice that expanded into a respected network of eight offices across central Virginia. Sam was not only a talented businessman but a compassionate and highly skilled dentist. Many families entrusted their care to him across generations, drawn by his fairness, steadiness, and genuine concern for every patient.

Sam’s love of horses was one of the great passions of his life. What began with a few horses stabled near his Mechanicsville home grew into a flourishing thoroughbred racing and breeding operation known as English Racing Stables, with farms in Goochland, Dinwiddie, and Charles Town. The horses and the people who worked alongside him were an important and meaningful part of his daily life.

Throughout his life, Sam’s faith and family remained at the heart of everything he did. Guided by a steadfast moral compass, he placed far greater value on character than on wealth or status, appreciating sincerity, hard work, and humility. The Church and his relationship with God were a guiding force in all he did. Sam enjoyed many personal interests that reflected both discipline and simplicity. He loved classic Corvettes, earned a Black Belt in Taekwondo, and found peace in visiting the beach for reflection. He loved old trucks, general stores, Western movies, and the simple treasures of bygone days that reminded him of a quieter era. Sam also had a remarkable ability to connect with people, and his encouragement, humor, and wisdom made others feel cared for in a way few could.

Above all, Sam was deeply proud of his daughters and grandchildren. Nothing brought him greater happiness than hearing about their accomplishments, their aspirations, and the lives they were building. He celebrated each milestone with heartfelt sincerity and offered unconditional love throughout their lives.

While we are heartbroken by his passing, we take comfort in knowing he is reunited with his parents on a farm, overlooking the fields and horses he loved so dearly. We know he will continue to guide us with the same steady presence that shaped his life.

Sam is survived by his daughters, Allison English Watkins and Stacey Elizabeth English; and by his grandchildren, Stan Watkins, Monty Watkins, and Drew Watkins; his brothers and sister; as well as many other beloved family members and special friends who will forever cherish his memory.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, December 7, at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Road. A funeral service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, December 8, at The Episcopal Church of the Creator, 7159 Mechanicsville Turnpike. Entombment will follow in Signal Hill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Virginia Thoroughbred Project (virginiathoroughbredproject.org).