Thrilling Turf Races Captivate Crowds at Colonial Downs

Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent County, Virginia, recently concluded its 2024 live racing season, showcasing the state's thriving equine industry and cementing its reputation as a premier destination for horse racing enthusiasts. The track's annual Festival of Racing, held on August 11, featured several prestigious stakes races, including the $1 million Grade 1 Arlington Million, the Grade 2 $500,000 Beverly D., and the Grade 2 $500,000 Secretariat Stakes.

Elevating Virginia's Racing Legacy

A Season of Excitement and Records

Over the course of 27 days of live racing, Colonial Downs welcomed thousands of fans who witnessed the competition of more than 2,000 equine athletes in over 250 races. The track's Senior Director of Racing, Frank Hopf, expressed his delight at the successful season, stating, "This was another tremendous season of fun, excitement, and world-class racing here in Virginia. Virginia's reputation as a premier destination for horses, jockeys, trainers, and fans continues to grow."

Preparing for a Historic Milestone

The 2024 live race season at Colonial Downs marked a significant milestone, as the track announced that the Virginia Derby, scheduled for March 15, 2025, will now be a "win and you're in" Kentucky Derby qualifier race. This means that the winner of the Virginia Derby will secure a spot in the field for the 151st Kentucky Derby at the legendary Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. "It is exciting that the road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby will run through Virginia," said Gary Palmisano, Vice President of racing at Churchill Downs Incorporated, the owner and operator of Colonial Downs.

Celebrating Virginia's Equine Industry

In addition to the thrilling races, Colonial Downs also hosted its annual "Virginia Champions Day," which highlighted the growth and strength of Virginia's $2 billion equine industry. The event featured special races exclusively for Virginia-bred, -sired, and -certified horses, showcasing the state's commitment to supporting and nurturing its local equine talent. "The Virginia-restricted races are a key part of our efforts, those of our parent company Churchill Downs Incorporated, and stakeholders throughout the industry, including the Virginia Equine Alliance, to strengthen Virginia's equine industry," the racetrack stated.

Expanding the Fan Experience

The 2024 live race season at Colonial Downs also included the introduction of a new fan-favorite event: the Wiener Dog races. This unique addition to the racing calendar provided an entertaining and lighthearted experience for attendees, further enhancing the overall experience at the racetrack.

A Talented Roster of Participants

The 9-week meet at Colonial Downs attracted horses, trainers, and jockeys from around the world. Irish-born jockey Ben Curtis claimed the meet championship with twenty-four victories, while Mike Trombetta emerged as the winningest trainer with fifteen victories. The top winning owner of the meet was the global powerhouse Godolphin, edging out Virginia stalwart Larry Johnson.

Looking Ahead to the Future

As the 2024 live racing season at Colonial Downs comes to a close, the racetrack is already preparing for the upcoming spring meet in March 2025. Tickets are now on sale for the Virginia Derby, and additional details on the 2025 live racing schedule, including the new spring race schedule, will be released in the coming months, pending the approval of the Virginia Racing Commission.