It may only be January, but we are thinking spring! The Virginia Point-to-Point racing season schedule is available now at centralentryoffice.com as is the list of National Steeplechase Association (NSA) sanctioned meets that will be held in the Commonwealth.
Curve of Stones with Barry Foley won the 2020 International Gold Cup. Photo by Douglas Lees.
The season kicks off Saturday March 6 with the Rappahannock Hunt and continues with events every weekend through the end of April. Respective Point-to-Point meets include the Warrenton Hunt (March 13), Piedmont Fox Hounds (March 20), Orange County Hounds (March 28), Old Dominion Hounds (April 3), Blue Ridge Hunt (April 11), Loudoun Hunt (April 18) and Middleburg Hunt (April 25) Point-to-Points.
Menacing Dennis (ridden by Shane Crimin) and Feisty (ridden by Jacob Roberts) compete in the Orange County Point-to-Point’s Open Hurdle in 2019. Photo by Douglas Lees.
The NSA sanctioned meets include the Middleburg Spring Races (April 17), Foxfield Spring Races(April 24 in Charlottesville), Virginia Gold Cup Races (May 1), Foxfield Fall Races (September 26), Virginia Fall Races (October 9 in Middleburg), the International Gold Cup Races (October 23) and the Montpelier Hunt Races (November 6).
The 2020 edition of Montpelier’s Hunt Races was not held due to Covid-19. The 2021 edition is scheduled for November 6.
More info on these meets and the Virginia Equine Alliance’s “Point-to-Points Pay” Starter Rewards program — which returns for a third straight year — is available at centralentryoffice.com.
The VEA’s popular Starter Rewards program returns for a third straight year.
Thoroughbred race dates at Colonial Downs in New Kent are set for 2021. A seven week meet will run from July 19 – September 1 with racing every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday — a total of 21 days. More details are at colonialdowns.com.
The 2021 season in New Kent will run from July 19 – September 1.
Harness racing dates at Shenandoah Downs in Woodstock still need to be confirmed but a 14-day season is expected — four more than in the 2020 campaign. A four day harness meet will also take place during the Shenandoah County Fair on September 1 – 4. More details are at shenandoahdowns.com.