Fasig-Tipton hosts the final breeding stock sale in Lexington, Kentucky. This sale offers racing and broodmare prospects. The sale will begin at 10:00AM on February 9th.
See the file below for all Virginia-bred and Virginia-certified horses listed in the sale.
Upcoming Events
The 2026 Virginia Derby & Virginia Oaks
The 2nd running of the Virginia Derby and Virginia Oaks will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Virginia. These two races serve as qualifying races for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. The Horsemen’s suites will be available for this day by reservation only. Stay tuned for further announcements regarding ticket sales for the suites and banquet room in the coming weeks.
A Word from the Board
“As my time as a VTA board member draws to a close, I would like to say how proud I am to be a member of a fantastic organization. Our successful Virginia-bred and certified programs are getting a lot of notice and many are reaping the rewards. The future is bright as we embark upon a new Virginia-bred foaling season and look forward to an expanded 48-day live racing season at Colonial Downs with many Virginia restricted race opportunities..”
— Susan Cooney, Director of the VTA Board
Virginia Steeplechase Association
We are all looking forward to upcoming Point-to-Point & NSA Sanctioned Steeplechase racing at our Virginia jump venues.
February 28 — Rappahannock Hunt Point-to-Point
March 14 — Warrenton Hunt Point-to-Point
April 18 — Middleburg Spring Races
April 25 —Foxfield Spring Races
April 26 — Middleburg Hunt Point-to-Point
May 2 — Virginia Gold Cup
Shenandoah Downs Spring Racing
Pacers & trotters will compete in a 7-week spring meet that runs from April 11 – May 24, every Saturday & Sunday at 1:05 PM.
Parking and admission are always free and the action is family friendly.
Wagering is available on all races. The track is conveniently located at I-81, Exit 283 halfway between Harrisonburg & Winchester and is a short 40-minute drive from the state’s only Buc-ees! More details are at shenandoahdowns.com.
Reminders
Thoroughbred Owners, Breeders, and Participating Facilities
Stay Connected in 2026
Ensure your 2026 membership is active to take full advantage of our exclusive benefits and event updates. Whether you are renewing your support or joining us for the first time, we are thrilled to have you as part of the VTA family this year. Unsure if your membership has been renewed for 2026? CLICK HERE to view our membership directory.
Get your Thoroughbreds foaled in Virginia registered with the VTA
Virginia Thoroughbred breeders, don’t forget to register your Virginia-foaled thoroughbreds! Prompt registration with the VTA is crucial for your horse to be recognized as a Virginia-bred, unlocking eligibility for lucrative restricted races and breeder incentives. Click below to complete the registration process and ensure your Virginia-bred can reap all the benefits
Qualifying for the Virginia Breeder’s Fund Yearling Futurity
Virginia-Bred
To qualify for the Virginia Yearling Futurity, all Virginia-Bred horses must be fully registered with the VTA and Thoroughbred Jockey Club prior to the date of the event — Don’t wait until the show—ensure your Virginia-Bred registration is submitted and confirmed now to stay eligible!
Virginia-Certified
To qualify for the Virginia Yearling Futurity, all Virginia-Certified horses must complete a 6-month residency and be fully registered with the VTA and Thoroughbred Jockey Club prior to the event. What this means for you: All short yearlings should arrive in Virginia by January 31st to ensure the residency requirement. Please confirm your registrations are up to date to remain eligible!
2026 Stallion Applications
Any Virginia-Stallion applications and fees submitted between now and May 31st for the 2026 breeding season may be added on the website. Stallions whose applications are submitted after May through December 31st will not be advertised on the website for the 2026 breeding season. CLICK HERE to apply online.
2025 Fourth Quarter Recap
Governor Elect Spanberger Names an Ag Secretary
Governor-elect Spanberger has officially named Katie Frazier as the new Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. Katie is a familiar face in the industry, having spent years at the Virginia Agribusiness Council and recently at Farm Credit of the Virginias. Spanberger highlighted that Frazier’s background is exactly what the state needs to support our farmers and foresters through current economic challenges. She’ll be taking over the role starting January 17th.
Virginia Harness Horse Association
Shenandoah Downs ushered out its tenth fall harness racing season in Woodstock October 26 and closing weekend featured a four-pack of Virginia Breeder’s 2-year-old stakes worth a combined $374,825.
In the $91,025 Filly Pace finale, Frank Chick’s Caviart Daisy stormed past Caviart Amore Mio coming out of turn two, passed the halfway mark four lengths in front in :55 2/5 and cruised to a five-length victory over Caviart Santa Fe in 1:53 3/5 — setting a record time for that division. The Sweet Lou filly was sent off as the 1-9 favorite and was fresh off a pair of impressive elimination leg wins the prior two weeks. Tony Morgan, harness racing’s second leading all-time driver with over 18,000 wins, was in the bike.
Details about the Virginia Harness Horse Association’s lucrative incentive programs are at vhha.net.
Industry Related News
From the Derby to the Commonwealth: Remembering Jockey and Virginia Businesswoman Diane Crump
Diane Crump, the barrier-breaking jockey who became the first woman to ride in a pari-mutuel race and the first to compete in the Kentucky Derby, passed away on Thursday, January 1, 2026, following a battle with brain cancer. Overcoming intense hostility and boycotts in the late 1960s, Crump paved the way for future generations of female riders. Following her retirement from the saddle, she settled in Virginia, where she continued her lifelong commitment to the industry by operating Diane Crump: Equine Sales, Inc., a successful equine sales business.
OBS begins their winter season with the winter mixed sale taking place on January 27th in Ocala, FL. Horses will begin going to the ring at 11:00 am and the sale will conclude the same day (Hips 1 – 282 + Supplements).
See the file below for all Virginia-Bred horses listed in the sale. Please note there are no Virginia-Certified horses.
2026 kicks off in Keeneland’s sales ring in Lexington, Kentucky! Mares in-foal and broodmare prospects are offered right before the 2026 breeding and foaling season begins. Short yearlings will also be seen in this sale. The schedule for this 2 book session is as follows:
See the file below for all Virginia-bred and Virginia-certified horses listed in the sale.
Virginia Stallion Owners! If your stallion covered mares in Virginia during the 2025 breeding season, the Stallion Application Form MUST be filed with the VTA by December 31st. This applies to ALL STALLIONS from the current breeding year. This is an annual renewal for each breeding season. Annual registration makes a Virginia Stallion’s OWNER eligible to receive Stallion Awards based on the performance of the resulting Virginia-bred foal crop from the breeding season in which the stallion is registered. Unsure if this has been filed for 2025? CLICK HERE to search your stallion or contact Kiersten Wall before December 31st.
Attention 2025 VTA members—Board of Directors Election! Vote now in the 2026 Virginia Thoroughbred Association Board of Directors election. Ballots were emailed to all active members beginning November 21st. The election will be held November 21 through December 31. The new Board will be announced at the January Board meeting. Please email Kiersten Wall at kiersten.wall@easterassociates.com if you did not receive the election ballot.
Attention all VTA members—Renew for 2026! The VTA’s membership early renewal period is OPEN for 2026. Renew or join TODAY to have access to benefits effective January 1, 2026. New membership packets will go out in the first couple weeks of the new year.
Attention all VTA and VHBPA members—Virginia Derby! The new year is upon us which means so is THE VIRGINIA DERBY. Being held on Saturday, March 14th, we will have the opportunity for VTA and VHBPA members to purchase tickets through the VTA for the Horsemen suites and ballroom. Be on the lookout for an email to make your reservation. Once received do not wait! Our tickets sell out FAST. These tickets will cost $100 and will include entry to the Horsemen suites, a seat in the ballroom, food, drinks, and a great view to watch Virginia’s finest horse racing.
Broodmares, broodmare prospects, weanlings, horses of racing age, stallions, stallion prospects
The Breeding Stock Sale will take place in Lexington, Kentucky at Keeneland on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Please see the sale schedule below
See the file below for all Virginia-bred horses listed in the sale. *There are currently no Virginia-certified weanlings in this sale*
“The world’s premier breeding stock event”
The November Sale will take place in Lexington, Kentucky on Monday, November 3, 2025. Starting at 4:00pm, 220 horses will make their way to the sales ring by the end of the night.
See the file below for all Virginia-bred horses listed in the sale. Please note there are no Virginia-certified horses in this sale.
Trainer Madison Meyers, a Lexington native now based in Virginia, achieved a long-held career goal by winning her first graded stakes race at Keeneland with the gelding Desvio in the Sycamore Stakes (G2T). The victory was particularly meaningful as it was Meyers’ first-ever start at the track. Desvio’s win was also the first graded stakes success for his owners, the mother-and-son team of Stonelea Stables and Bonnie Rye Stable, who have a long personal history with Meyers. Meyers had purposefully waited to bring a runner to Keeneland until she had a horse, like the stamina-driven Desvio, that she felt was truly suited to the demanding environment.
The full article can be read HERE
Thoroughbred stallion Cross Traffic will relocate to Mt. Airy Farm in Millwood, Virginia, for the 2026 breeding season, marking a significant win for the state’s breeding program. The move gives Mid-Atlantic breeders valuable access to a proven, elite-level sire—a combination of quality and Virginia Breeders Fund incentives not seen in decades. Cross Traffic, who captured the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes, was North America’s leading freshman sire in 2018 and has since produced multiple major earners, including Eclipse champion filly Jaywalk. O’Sullivan Farms is excited to stand the stallion at the historic farm to revitalize Virginia’s stallion ranks
The full article can be viewed HERE.
Upcoming Events
2025 International Gold Cup
The 88th running of the International Gold Cup will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia. The event is a cornerstone of the fall steeplechase season in Virginia, drawing competitors and fans from across the region. VTA and VHBPA members are invited to join horsemen in the VTA/Owner’s tent on Member’s Hill
A Word from the Board
TOBA AWARDS—Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association
“Audley Farm is very honored to receive the TOBA Virginia Breeder of the Year for 2024. Accepting the award at the ceremony was Turner Kobayashi, General Manager of Audley Farm Equine (President of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association); Jamie McDiarmid , Equine Manager, and Mary Kay Kobayashi, Business Manager.”— Turner Kobayashi, Audley Farm General Manager
CLICK HERE to view 2024 State and Canadian Breeders of the Year
“I have just returned from the Keeneland September yearling sale, and the atmosphere there was electric. Everyone is excited about racing, and especially racing in Virginia. I sold two Virginia-bred yearlings to a Kentucky breeder who loves coming to Colonial Downs and has had great success racing Virginia-breds. Virginia breeding and racing are on the rise, and the country is taking note!.”— Amy Moore, Past-President of the VTA Board
Virginia Steeplechase Association
We are looking forward to upcoming Steeplchase racing at Colonial Donws and our Virginia fall meets.
October 5 – Foxfield Fall Races
October 11 – Virginia Fall Races
October 25 – International Gold cup
November 1 – Montpelier Hunt Races
Click here for more details
2025 Fall Harness Racing
Coming off the successful spring meet, everyone is excited for the fall meet. Conveniently located at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds (I-81, Exit 283) there is racing every Saturday and Sunday with Pari-mutuel wagering on all races.
Race days are as follows:
· Saturday-Sunday Sept 13-Oct 26
· Click here to view post times
Reminders
Thoroughbred Owners, Breeders, and Participating Facilities
Membership Renewal for 2026
If you are looking to continue your VTA membership in 2026, whether you are an owner, breeder, or supporter, keep an eye out for our early bird renewal period November-December! By renewing during this period, your membership for 2026 will be effective January 1st, taking advantage of our benefits and staying updated on events.
Get your Thoroughbreds foaled in Virginia registered with the VTA
Virginia Thoroughbred owners, don’t forget to register your Virignia-foaled thoroughbreds! Prompt registration with the VTA is crucial for your horse to be recognized as a Virginia-bred, unlocking eligibility for lucrative restricted races and breeder incentives. Click below to complete the registrations process and ensure your Virginia-bred can reap all the benefits
Stallion registrations due December 31
Stallion owners are reminded to ensure your stallion is fully registered and eligible for the 2025 breeding season incentive programs. All completed forms and applicable fees must be received by December 31st.
If you have not already done so, please take immediate action to complete and submit your paperwork. Your timely submission is essential for the accurate administration of all future awards. Don’t know if you have registered your stallion? Click the button below to search registered stallions. Please note the registered year(s) listed under their name.
| VA-Bred Fee Schedule | VTA Member Fee | Non-Member Fee |
| Foals (by Dec. 31 of weanling year) | $25 | $125 |
| Yearling (by Dec. 31 of yearling year) | $50 | $150 |
| Horses (two years old & older) | $200 | $300 |
2025 Third Quarter Recap
Virginia Horses Shine at Keeneland Yearling Sale
The recent Keeneland Yearling Sale concluded with strong results for Virginia-connected horses, showcasing the quality of our regional breeding programs. A total of 33 Virginia-bred horses and 11 Virginia-certified horses found new homes during the sale. The market was particularly strong for our fillies, with a filly out of Shea D Summer, bred by Amy Moore, selling for an outstanding $600,000. Another top seller was a filly out of Past As Prelude, bred by R. Larry Johnson, which commanded $370,000. Rounding out the highlights, a Jack Christopher colt, also bred by R. Larry Johnson, brought $350,000. This successful sale demonstrates the continued growth and prestige of Virginia horses.
2025 Virginia Breeder’s Fund Yearling Futurity
Congratulations to Quest Realty’s Amrit for being named Grand Champion at the $40,000 Virginia Breeder’s Fund 2025 Yearling Futurity. The colt, by Oscar Performance out of Jumpin’ Nancy, won the Virginia-Bred/Sired class and then advanced to take the top prize at the show held on August 24. This was the second year in a row a horse out of Jumpin’ Nancy won the Grand Champion title. Reserve Champion honors went to Snapadoodle, a filly owned by Althea Richards, who had finished as the runner-up in her class.
Virginia Harness Horse Association
Shenandoah Downs recently celebrated a $2 million expansion, securing the future of harness racing at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds. The core of the investment is a new 172-stall permanent barn, which replaces the costly and less secure temporary tents the track previously rented. Furthermore, the versatile new structure will also be used to house livestock during the annual county fair in August. The project marks another landmark step in strengthening Woodstock’s role on the national harness circuit and boosting the local economy.
The Virginia HBPA is pleased to share that the 2025 summer meet at Colonial Downs was a success. Over the course of 41 race days, the meet averaged $657,711 in daily purses and generated an impressive average daily handle of $2,257,639. The season delivered competitive racing and robust participation from horsemen across the Mid-Atlantic, further solidifying Virginia’s reputation as a premier destination for Thoroughbred racing. The VHBPA extends its sincere thanks to the trainers, owners, jockeys, and backstretch workers whose hard work and dedication made this season possible. We look forward to continuing this momentum — first with the Virginia Derby in March, and then with another exciting summer of racing in 2026.
Congratulations to the meet’s leaders
Leading Owner: DARRS, Inc. Leading Trainer: Michael Trombetta
Leading Jockey: Paco Lopez
The VTA would like to congratulate our most recent Virginia-Bred Millionaire, the multi-year VTA Older Horse Champion REPO ROCKS. Bred by the late Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin III, the 2018 gelding by TAPITURE joined this club of elites after his win at Colonial Downs on July 18th taking home the trophy for the Edward P. Evans Stakes.
He follows the 2023 Virginia-Bred Horse of the Year GIGANTE, who reached millionaire status in his 2024 campaign, bred by Ann Mudge Backer & Smitten Farm.
Congratulations to both horses and all their connections! Virginia-Bred Millionaires
Industry Related News
VTA Member Diana McClure on Panel at 51st Annual Global Symposium on Racing
Diana McClure, owner, trainer, and breeder, will represent Virginia on a panel discussing declining foal crops and State breeding programs. This year’s symposium, December 8-10 in Tucson, will focus on the industry’s evolving landscape, covering critical topics like the racing business model, the rise of prediction markets, and mental wellness support.