The Virginia Thoroughbred Association was organized in 1941 to cultivate
the development of the Commonwealth's heritage as a producer of quality
Thoroughbred horses. Today, more than 65 years later, the VTA presently
boasts a membership base of more than 400 members.
The VTA is a service organization whose main goal is to assist members and
to promote the Virginia Thoroughbred industry. With the passage in Virginia of
pari-mutuel racing legislation in 1988 and the opening of Colonial Downs in
1997, the VTA has vastly expanded the scope of its operations.
The VTA has emerged as the industry leader assisting the Virginia Racing
Commission in developing and fine-tuning the rules under which the Commission
regulates the Virginia Breeders Fund. The VTA administers and promotes
the Virginia Breeders Fund. The VTA also works closely with the Virginia
HBPA, Colonial Downs and the Maryland Jockey Club to pursue the expansion
of live horse racing in the Commonwealth. The organization and its staff
constantly research and develop opportunities in an effort to strenghten
and enhance Virginia's standing as one
of the world's most important centers for Thoroughbred bloodstock.
The VTA's member-elected Board of Directors is comprised of owners,
breeders, bloodstock agents, trainers and veterinarians who volunteer
many hours of service developing programs and policies that represent
and support every segment of the industry. The VTA maintains a full-time
staff and an office in Warrenton to service its members.
We are a member of:
- National Thoroughbred Racing Association(NTRA)
- Virginia Horse Industry Board
- American Horse Council
- Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA)
- Virginia Horse Council
- Virginia Free
- Virginia Agribusiness Council
Services offered include:
| EDUCATION |
| Seminars offer instruction
on subjects ranging from broodmare care to taxes. Members are
also welcome to use the VTA's extensive library and pedigree
research facilities. |
| EVENTS |
| Officers of the Association
are elected at the Annual Meeting each year. The VTA also hosts
an annual awards banquet which features a nationally known speaker
and recognizes the achievements of VTA members and their horses
during the past year. Several special social events are held
throughout the year, including special trips to Colonial Downs. |
| PUBLICATIONS |
| The VTA publishes a quarterly
bulletin to keep the membership abreast of industry news: the VTA
Insider, a weekly e-mail newsletter. The VTA also has a blog at vatbblog.blogspot.com |
| STALLION AUCTION |
| The Stallion Season Auction
is the major annual fund raising effort for the VTA. Over 200
no-guarantee stallion seasons are sold to the general public
during a telephone auction. Final bids are confidential. |
| TELEVISION |
| The VTA's newly renovated offices
feature live horse racing on television which is available to VTA members
and all horse racing enthusiasts. |
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