NEW KENT — Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Ken County wrapped up its season of live racing on Virginia Derby Day on Sept. 7.
Over the course of 27 days of live racing, the racetrack said thousands of fans watched 2,000 equine athletes compete in more than 250 live races.
Those races include the $1 million Grade 1 Arlington Million, the Grade 2 $500,000 Beverly D. and Grade 2 $500,000 Secretariat Stakes during Colonial Downs’ annual Festival of Racing on Aug. 11.
Colonial Downs said with the season over, it is now preparing for the new spring meet in March, anchored by the Virginia Derby on Saturday, March 15. The Virginia Derby will now be a “win and you’re in” Kentucky Derby qualifier race that guarantees the winner a spot in the field for the 151st Kentucky Derby in May at legendary Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky.
“This was another tremendous season of fun, excitement, and world class racing here in Virginia,” said Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing at Colonial Downs. “Virginia’s reputation as a premier destination for horses, jockeys, trainers, and fans continues to grow. In just a few months, we will take things to another level with our first ever Kentucky Derby qualifier race. It will be a historic moment for Virginia racing that you won’t want to miss!”
“It is exciting that the road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby will run through Virginia,” added Gary Palmisano, Vice President of racing at Churchill Downs Incorporated, owner and operator of Colonial Downs racetrack.“Churchill Downs Incorporated is proud of our investments in the racing operation and fan experience at Colonial Downs and are committed to elevating Virginia’s profile within the sport. Racing is thriving in Virginia, and is poised to keep growing.”
The 2024 live race season at Colonial Downs included the track’s first Wiener Dog races, as well as exciting action on the track.
Horses, trainers, and jockeys from around the world gathered for the 9-week meet, with Irish-born jockey Ben Curtis claiming the meet championship with twenty-four victories, according to Colonial Downs. Mike Trombetta was the winningest trainer with fifteen victories, while global powerhouse Godolphin edged Virginia stalwart Larry Johnson as the top winning owner of the meet.
The track also hosted its annual “Virginia Champions Day,” highlighting the growth and strength of Virginia’s $2 billion equine industry with special races just for Virginia-bred, -sired, and -certified horses. Colonial Downs said the Virginia-restricted races are a key part of kit efforts, those of its parent company Churchill Downs Incorporated, and stakeholders throughout the industry, including the Virginia Equine Alliance, to strengthen Virginia’s equine industry.
Tickets are now on sale for March’s Virginia Derby. Additional details on the 2025 live racing schedule, including the new spring race schedule, will be released in the coming months and are contingent on the approval of the Virginia Racing Commission, the racetrack said.
