Amy Moore's Forte Wins Eclipse Award for 2-Year-Old Male

VA-connected Forte started 2023 on a roll winning the Fountain of Youth Stakes and the Florida Derby. He was the early favorite going into the Kentucky Derby but unfortunately was unable to compete. Forte was named the 2023 Eclipse Champion! You can learn more about Amy's story here.

Shenandoah Downs hosted its inaugural spring harness meet

Shenandoah Downs hosted its first-ever Spring Harness meet running in April and May. The inaugural Spring meet ran for seven weeks on Saturdays and Sundays. Click here to learn more.

Shenandoah Downs 2023 -- By The Numbers

Shenandoah Downs completed its 2023 pari-mutuel harness racing season in Woodstock, Virginia on October 29. Believe it or not, this was the eighth consecutive season that pacers and trotters competed over the half mile oval since the Virginia Equine Alliance invested close to $1 million in track renovations there in 2016, to turn what was a Fair track--- that could start four horses behind the starter's car --- into a state-of-the-art oval that can accommodate full fields of quality standardbreds. Another 14-week calendar is planned for 2024 split into a pair of seven-week meets. The spring session will run from April 6 - May 19 and a fall meet will extend from September 14 - October 27 (pending Virginia Racing Commission approval). Parking and admission are always free, and the races are family friendly. Continue reading here.

Steeplechasing continued to Flourish in the Commonwealth

The Virginia Gold Cup highlighted a wide array of successful Jump racing events in the Commonwealth including Steeplechase races all summer long at Colonial Downs on Fridays before the Thoroughbred racing card. More information on Steeplechase racing in Virginia can be found at www.nationalsteeplechase.com.

Upcoming Virginia Thoroughbred Registration Deadlines

• Register your Virginia-Bred foals before December 31^st to avoid fee increases - Click here to register
• Purchasing a mare at the upcoming breeding stock sales: to be a resident Virginia mare she must be at a VA facility and registered with the VTA within 15 days of the sale end date - Click here to register
• Virginia Stallions that covered mares in 2023 must be registered by December 31^st to be eligible for 2024 foal crop stallion awards - Click here to register
• Reminder that Virginia Certified applications must be submitted within 30 days of a horse’s arrival in Virginia - Click here to register

The Montpelier Hunt Races Smashed their Attendance Record

Montpellier Steeplechase had a record crowd of 19,000 people. They partnered with Audi of Charlottesville to create this promotional video.

Click here to watch.

Colonial Downs added the "Festival of Racing" Card, including the

Arlington Million

The 2023 Colonial Downs meet was a massive success, with 27 race days averaging almost 700K a day in purses. For the first time, Colonial Downs hosted the Arlington Million, Secretariat Stakes, and Beverly D during the “Festival of Racing”. The day was highlighted by VA Bred Gigante upsetting the field in the grade-2 Secretariat Stakes. You can read more about the "Festival of Racing" here.

Virginia's First Family Shows Support for the Equine Industry

Virignia's First Family showed support for Virginia's Equine industry by hosting an event the evening before the “Festival of Racing" for stakeholders in Virginia racing. The evening was a success with the Governor pulling out all the stops to show his support for the sport. First Lady Suzanne Youngkin assisted the VEA with a promotional video you can watch here.

VTA Stallion Auction

Don’t forget the Virginia Thoroughbred Association Stallion Season Auction.

Great Seasons & Great Deals on Non-Guaranteed Seasons - February 14, 2024.

Click here for season list and details. (season list is updated daily):

Colonial Downs Alumni Strikes Again on Racing's Biggest Day

Nobals, the winner of the 2023 Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial Downs, returned to win the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita Park. You can learn more about Nobals victory here.

Frank Petramalo served on Virginia's HBPA Board from 2001-2005 and took over as Executive Director in his final year. A native of Rochester, New York, he was introduced to racing at a young age betting harness races at nearby Batavia Downs. "Everyone in the neighborhood was crazy about playing races there," he said. "I remember winning my first daily double on a 5-5 combination that paid $18 and was hooked instantly."

To read the rest of the article click here.