It has been only 6 months since The Virginia Derby ran for the last time on the turf. The anticipation for the now dirt race is finally over. The Derby is almost here!
Colonial Downs’ spring meet will be March 13-15. Current 2025 members are welcome in the VTA/VHBPA suites on March 13-14. March 15 is by reservation only for the suites and is SOLD OUT.
The Virginia Derby is a 50-point qualifying race for the Road to the Kentucky Derby. This day, completely sold out, will make a mark on history for Virginia horse racing in more ways than one.
Post time for Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 15 is 12:30pm. Post time for Saturday, March 15 is Noon.
The OBS two-year-old’s in Training sale is March 11th through 13th. The under tack show takes place March 5-8 starting at 8:00am in Ocala, Florida. Tuesday, March 11th hips 1-272 will go to the sales ring. Wednesday, March 12th hips 273-544 will sell at the ring. Lastly, on Thursday, March 13th hips 545-814 will conclude the sale at the ring.
The under tack show is as follows: March 5 hips 1-204 8:00am; March 6 hips 205-408 8:00am; March 7 hips 409-611 8:00am; March 8 hips 612-814 8:00am.
See the file below for all Virginia Bred and Virginia Certified horses listed in the sale.
Fasig-Tipton hosts the final breeding stock sale in Lexington, Kentucky. This sale offers racing and broodmare prospects. The sale will begin at 10:00AM on February 3rd.
See the file below for all Virginia-bred and Virginia-certified horses listed in the sale.
2025 kicks off in Keeneland’s sales ring in Lexington, Kentucky! Mares in-foal and broodmare prospects are offered right before the 2025 breeding and foaling season begins. Short yearlings will also be seen in this sale. The schedule for this 2 book session is as follows:
Book 1 Session 1 – Monday, January 13, 10:00AM Hips 1-458
Book 2 Session 2 – Tuesday January 14, 10:00AM Hips 461-880
Book 2 Session 3 – Wednesday, January 15, 10:00AM Hips 891-1318
See the file below for all Virginia-bred and Virginia-certified horses listed in the sale.
Josep Bassaganya-Riera of Covilar LLC Acquires 50% Ownership of Five Star General in Partnership with Kenny Alhadeff of Elttaes Stables
Stallion to Stand at Covilar’s Owl Hollow Farm in Floyd, Virginia for 2025 Breeding Season
Floyd, Virginia — December 9, 2024 — Covilar LLC (“Covilar”) is pleased to announce acquisition of 50% ownership in Five Star General through a strategic partnership with existing owner Kenny Alhadeff. Five Star General, whose nickname is “Ike,” after U.S. President and five-star general Dwight D. Eisenhower, will stand at Covilar’s Owl Hollow Farm in 2025, offering breeders in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region unique access to Kentucky-quality, high-profile genetics at a competitive price. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Covilar’s mission to establish itself as the premier breeding and racing facility in Virginia.
Since acquiring Owl Hollow Farm in 2021, Covilar has worked to transform the sprawling property into a modern, world-class breeding facility. With facility upgrades complete, Covilar’s founder Dr. Josep Bassaganya-Riera sought a stallion of exceptional caliber to launch Owl Hollow Farm as a top-tier Thoroughbred breeding and racing destination. Five Star General’s pedigree, performance and versatility aligns with Dr. Bassaganya-Riera’s long-term vision for Owl Hollow Farm.
“Five Star General is the ideal stallion to begin expanding Covilar and Owl Hollow Farm,” said Dr. Bassaganya-Riera. “Thanks to our partnership with Kenny Alhadeff, we’re thrilled to offer breeders a top-class stallion right here in Virginia. Our unique breeding program has already produced two crops of foals from Snapy Halo (ARG), sired by top southern hemisphere producer Southern Halo. Our breeding programs are designed to maximize performance, speed and stamina of the offspring. We believe that the addition of ‘Ike’ as our leading stallion is a natural choice and excellent complement to our emerging Thoroughbred breeding program.”
“We’ve been thrilled with the success of Five Star General, one of the most special horses our family has had the privilege of owning. We’re looking forward to partnering with Covilar to launch ‘Ike’ as a sire and to bring this accomplished stallion prospect to breeders in the Mid-Atlantic region,” said Alhadeff. “The partnership is exceptionally beneficial to our family, to Covilar and Owl Hollow Farm’s plans, and to breeders in the Virginia and mid-Atlantic region. I am elated to be partnering with Dr. Josep Bassaganya-Riera, and his determination to improve the breed is thrilling. What better place than Virginia?”
“Five Star General is what all breeders should be looking for: speed, soundness, exceptional looks and a stallions’ pedigree. We have great confidence in his ability to pass on those sought-after traits,” said international bloodstock agent Chad Schumer.
Alhadeff said, “I’ve been in Thoroughbred horse racing my entire life. My grandfather, Joe Gottstein, founded Longacres Racetrack in the Seattle area in 1933. In 1935, he created the Longacres mile with a purse of $10,000, the richest race at the distance at the time. Winning back-to-back Longacres miles with Five Star General is a highlight of my entire career as an owner. I’ve had the privilege of racing over 100 Thoroughbreds, and Five Star General’s continued display of endurance, desire and courage has been breathtaking. His improbable stretch run in the last race before retirement is best described by legendary jockey, Joe Bravo, who said ‘The horse willed it. He’s a warrior.’ When a Thoroughbred runs from ages 2 through 8—winning every year— it tells you something very important about their durability and desire.”
Five Star General ran five years in a row in the historic Longacres Mile, placing all five years and winning the last two years to finish out his racing campaign.
2025 Breeding Season Details and Incentives Craig Whitlow announced that Five Star General will stand for an introductory fee of $6,000 for the 2025 breeding season. He added, “In the very near future, we will release a very lucrative incentive program specifically designed to benefit breeders in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region.” Covilar’s planned incentives will support broodmare owners with proven racing or stakes potential, ensuring access to Five Star General’s exceptional racing bloodlines.
About Five Star General and His Exceptional Bloodlines Five Star General (Distorted Humor x Party of Interest) is the product of a superior lineage. His sire, Distorted Humor, has produced numerous champions known for their versatility and racing prowess. His dam, Party of Interest, hails from the prestigious Bernardini, a Champion 3-year-old colt and classic winner whose influence extends deeply into the Thoroughbred racing world.
Party of Interest’s strong pedigree includes a lineage tied to notable names like Seeking the Gold and Deputy Minister, known for producing durable and competitive racehorses. Five Star General’s siblings have also showcased talent, further supporting the genetic strength he brings to the breeding program. Party of Interest’s most recent foals have been sired by multiple G1 winning stallions including Charlaton, Gunite and Jack Christopher.
Five Star General has amassed career earnings of $902,202, highlighted by victories in the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby at Hastings and back-to-back wins in the Longacres Mile, demonstrating his resilience and competitive spirit. In 2024 alone, he earned $224,773 and secured a 33%-win rate, with an impressive 72% top-three finish rate across all races. His career-best equibase speed figure of 114, competitive spirit and adaptability underscore his quality as both a racehorse and a top-quality stallion prospect.
Key Details: Sire: Distorted Humor Dam: Party of Interest Career Earnings: $902,202 2024 Earnings: $224,773 Wins: 39 starts with 13 wins, 6 second-place finishes and 9 third-place finishes, including wins at the Central Park Stakes at Aqueduct and Grade 3 British Columbia Derby at Hastings, and two Longacres Mile wins. Top-3 finish rate across all races: 72% Win Rate: 33% Equibase Speed Figure: 114 2025 Stud Fee: $6,000
Booking Information Breeders interested in booking with Five Star General or learning more about Covilar’s’ 2025 incentives are encouraged to contact Covilar LLC at craig@covilar.com or visit www.covilar.com.
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About Covilar LLC
Located in Floyd, Virginia, Covilar was founded by Dr. Josep Bassaganya-Riera with the goal of creating a premier Thoroughbred breeding and racing program in the Mid-Atlantic region. Recently renovated and meticulously designed, Covilar’s Owl Hollow Farm provides a world-class environment for top breeding quality Thoroughbreds. Five Star General is a Kentucky-bred Thoroughbred stallion that exemplifies the vision of Covilar, demonstrating our commitment to offering elite genetics to establish a progeny of race winners and outstanding service to Thoroughbred breeders.
This Sale will take place in Lexington, Kentucky on Thursday, November 14, 2024. Two-hundred and thirty-four horses will make their way to the sales ring by the end of the day.
See the file below for all Virginia-bred and Virginia-certified horses listed in the sale.
The grand opening/ribbon cutting of The Rose is today, November 7, 2024! This is another big and important step forward for Virginia’s horse racing and breeding industry.
