Colonial Downs introduced Aug. 11 that the 2025 Virginia Derby has earned the excellence as a qualifying race on the Highway to the Kentucky Derby. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin introduced the landmark occasion for Virginia horse racing from the winner’s circle at Colonial Downs alongside Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Invoice Carstanjen and Churchill Downs board chairman Alex Rankin.
“Churchill Downs has labored with companions all through the Commonwealth to reinvigorate Virginia’s proud legacy of Thoroughbred racing and safe our place as a world-class vacation spot for racing followers and equine expertise from all over the world,” Youngkin mentioned. “The long run for Thoroughbred racing in Virginia has by no means been brighter and this chance will permit us to shine on horse racing’s greatest stage.”
The Virginia Derby has historically been a turf race that signified the end result of the summer season racing season. This 12 months’s New Kent County Virginia Derby, together with stay leisure and family-friendly actions, might be held as scheduled Sept. 7.
Subsequent 12 months, as a part of the Highway to the Kentucky Derby, the Virginia Derby will transition to the grime observe and be held March 15, 2025, anchoring a brand new four-day spring meet at Colonial Downs. The profitable horse will earn 50 qualifying factors and really doubtless be assured a spot within the beginning gate for the Could 3 Kentucky Derby Offered by Woodford Reserve at Churchill Downs. Based mostly on level allocations for 2024, second by fifth-place finishers would obtain factors on a 25-15-10-5 scale.
Virginia Speaker of the Home Don Scott shared his enthusiasm for the announcement, saying, “It’s thrilling that the Highway to the Kentucky Derby will now run by Virginia. Churchill Downs has elevated the stature and financial affect of Thoroughbred racing within the Commonwealth whereas creating jobs, producing important tax income in communities across the state, and providing race followers a memorable expertise on the observe.”
“We’re grateful for the funding of Churchill Downs within the Virginia horse-racing business. In 2025, Colonial Downs will race 47 days, which is up from 27 days in 2022, the final race meet earlier than Churchill Downs acquired Colonial Downs,” Virginia’s Secretary of Agriculture Matthew Lohr mentioned. “Apart from including prestigious and profitable races for horsemen, extra race days drive important financial affect all through Virginia’s whole agricultural sector resulting in a wholesome breeding business, stronger equine infrastructure, and extra employment alternatives throughout the Commonwealth.”
“Right this moment’s announcement isn’t solely thrilling for tourism in our district,” mentioned delegate Amanda Batten, “but additionally demonstrates a dedication to horse racing that can guarantee Colonial Downs is a premier vacation spot for generations to return.”
Dates for the Colonial Downs spring meet are contingent on approval of the Virginia Racing Fee.
