News

Made the top two choices in the morning line, Deterministic and Grand Mo the First headline a competitive field of 12 entered in the Grade 3 $500,000 New Kent County Virginia Derby, one of six turf stakes on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Colonial Downs. Both qualified for Kentucky Derby 150, and both have transitioned to grass for the second half of their 3-year-old campaigns. The local derby, at 1-1/8 miles over the Secretariat Turf Course, is scheduled as race 10 of the 12-race New Kent County Virginia Derby Day program, which is seeded with $1.3 million in stakes purses. Next year, ...

Trainer Mike Trombetta and owner Larry Johnson scored the natural double on Commonwealth Champions Day at Colonial Downs, as Hollywood Walk grabbed her first stakes score in the $150,000 Camptown and Sky’s Not Falling took the $150,000 Bert Allen Handicap. Hollywood Walk wins the $150,000 Camptown (Coady Media). The connections were a nose away from a third score, as the filly Sail Theseven Seas finished second to War Humor in the $125,000 Jamestown, the opening handicap of five for Virginia-bred, -sired and -certified horses. The Camptown, Bert Allen, $150,000 Meadow Stable and $150,000 Nellie Mae Cox brought together Thoroughbreds from all ...

Lewis S. Wiley, a widely-respected horseman and cattle farmer and long-time Fauquier County resident, passed away peacefully at his family’s home, Gordonsdale Farm in The Plains, Virginia, on Sunday, August 11, 2024. He was 86. Born in Salem, Virginia, on June 30,1938 to James Langhorne Wiley and Camille Dawson Wiley Sullivan, Lewis attended North Cross School with the very first class of students. He briefly attended Andrew Lewis High School prior to his four years at The Hill School in Pottstown, PA where he thrived — playing football, wrestling and running track. He graduated Hill in 1957. Lewis Wiley (right) pictured with ...

Virginia-bred filly Paynted By Nancy scored Grand Champion honors at the Virginia Breeder’s Fund’s 23rd annual Yearling Futurity held August 26th at the Warrenton Horse Show Grounds. Owned by Daniel Wukich and bred by Quest Realty, the daughter of Paynter won the divisional title for Virginia-bred/sired fillies earlier in the day and advanced to the final round along with the top two finishers from three other classes. The champ is out of the Jump Start mare, Jumpin’ Nancy.   Virginia-bred filly Paynted By Nancy scored Grand Champion honors (Hannah Jones Photography). Second place in the final round went to an Un-named Independence Hall dark bay ...

Five turf stakes showcasing Virginia-bred, -sired and -certified horses attracted large fields for Virginia Champions Day at Colonial Downs on Saturday, Aug. 31. Offering $725,000 in total, the four stakes open to horses in all three categories – the Camptown, Bert Allen, Meadow Stable and Nellie Mae Cox – average 10.5 runners. The Jamestown is solely for Virginia-bred and -sired 2-year-olds. First post on Saturday is 1:30 p.m. ET and the added money events will go as races 5 – 9 on the 10-race program. Virginia Fitz will compete in the Jamestown Stakes for Virginia-Bred/Sired 2-Year-Olds (Coady Media) Larry Johnson and ...

Albemarle County, Virginia – Cassiopeia Foundation 501c(3) is proud to announce the purchase of the Foxfield property in Albemarle County, ensuring the preservation of the historic site, fulfilling the dreams of founder Mariann de Tejeda, and providing a stable platform for the continued operations of the independent Foxfield Racing LLC 501c(3). The Foxfield property, with its rich history and picturesque setting, has long been a cherished destination for equestrian enthusiasts and spectators.  With this acquisition, the Cassiopeia Foundation 501c(3) is committed to honoring the vision of founder Mariann de Tejeda and safeguarding the property for future generations to enjoy. “We are thrilled to ...

Nominations closed on Wednesday for the six pack of turf stakes scheduled for Virginia Derby Day on Saturday, Sept. 7, which is closing day at Colonial Downs. With $1.3million in combined purses, the Grade 3 $500,000 New Kent County Virginia Derby leads the charge along with the $250,000 Woodford Reserve Virginia Oaks (Listed), $150,000 VisitRVA.com Colonial Cup, $150,000 Korbel Da Hoss, $125,000 Richmond Times-Dispatch Rosie’s Stakes, and $125,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Kitten’s Joy. Intergration wins the 2023 Virginia Derby over Program Trading (Coady Media) A 1-1/8 miles race over the Secretariat Turf Course, the Virginia Derby had 35 3-year-olds nominated, headlined ...

Winning Horse will Compete in the Iconic Run for the Roses Colonial Downs Racetrack (“Colonial Downs”) announced during the annual Festival of Racing that the 2025 Virginia Derby has earned the distinction as a “win and you’re in” qualifying race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the landmark event for Virginia horse racing from the winner’s circle at Colonial Downs alongside First Lady Suzanne Youngkin, Secretary of Agriculture Matthew Lohr, Delegate Amanda Batten, Churchill Downs Incorporated (“Churchill Downs”) CEO Bill Carstanjen and Churchill Downs Board Chairman Alex Rankin. Governor Glenn Youngkin welcomes a skydiver who flew onto ...

In keeping with Penny Chenery’s long career of celebrating Secretariat’s legacy, promoting the best in racing, and honoring excellence in Thoroughbred athletes, the inaugural Penny Chenery award was presented to author/historian Leeanne Meadows Ladin of Montpelier, VA. The presentation was made on August 11 at Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent, VA after the running of the first-ever Penny Chenery race. Stephanie Nixon, chair of the Virginia Racing Commission, did the honors in the winner’s circle. The new annual award, established by Penny’s children, recognizes a woman who has demonstrated outstanding sustained commitment to celebrating the achievements and legacies of Thoroughbred ...

Colonial Downs Racetrack (“Colonial Downs”) announced today that the Festival of Racing, originally scheduled for Saturday, August 10 has been rescheduled for Sunday,August 11. The decision to reschedule the biggest day in Virginia’s horse racing history was carefully made after working closely with weather experts to predict the risk of heavy rain and potential impact caused by Tropical Storm Debby. While most of the extreme weather conditions are expected to clear the area by Saturday, the safety of team members, the community and horsemen traveling to compete was the highestpriority in the decision to delay the planned festivities. Additional recovery ...