The grand finale of the yearlings’ sales will take place in Lexington, Kentucky. The schedule for this four-day sale is as follows: hips 1-404 will head to the ring on October 21st. October 22nd hips 405-808 will sell. On October 23rd hips 809-1212 will sell. Lastly, on October 24th, the sale will conclude with hips 1213-1614 at the sales pavilion. Each day will begin at 10:00am.
See the file below for all Virginia-bred and Virginia-certified horses listed in the sale.
Up next is the OBS yearlings sale in Ocala, Florida . This two day sale that will begin at 11:30AM on Tuesday, October 8th with hips 1-266 and the supplements. The sale will continue on Wednesday, October 9th at 11:30AM with hips 301-569 and conclude with the supplements.
See the file below for all Virginia-Bred horses listed in the sale. Please note there are no Virginia-Certified horses.
Fasig-Tipton heads to Timonium, Maryland from Saratoga to continue with yearlings in the sales ring. This is a one day sale that will begin at 11:00AM on Tuesday, October 1st.
See the file below for all Virginia-Bred and Virginia-Certified horses listed in the sale.
It was a season with beautiful clear skies, the occasional summer storm, and the adventurous goose who bravely wandered to the track during training. We had wiener dog races, a county fair, a golf tournament, and most of all, exciting racing!
With all that behind us, it is not the only thing we said “farewell” to when the last horse crossed the finish line on Saturday, September 7, 2024. It was a farewell to the GIII Virginia Derby as we have known it traditionally run on the renown Secretariat Turf Course. On August 11th, at the Colonial Downs Festival of racing, Governor Glen Youngkin announced that the Virginia Derby would be one of the qualifying races on the road to the Kentucky Derby. It is scheduled to now be run on the dirt course at nine furlongs on March 15th, pending approval by the VRC and VHBPA.
The evening before the final running of the turf version of the Virginia Derby, Churchill Downs, Inc and the Virginia Thoroughbred Association hosted an elegant reception at The Jefferson Hotel commemorating this race Virginians and horsemen throughout the country have come to know and celebrate.
Guests included Virginia Johnson, co-author of Virginia Horse Racing: Triumphs of the Turf, Matt Lohr, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, and a special appearance by historical actors from St. John’s church portraying prominent Virginians President George Washington, Martha Washington, President Thomas Jefferson, and Governor Patrick Henry who all enjoyed mingling with the partygoers. Many connections to the horses running on Virginia Derby Day were in attendance along with representatives of the Commonwealth’s Legislature as well as the many supporters from all stakeholders who have been such a big part of Virginia’s successful horse industry. The food and ambiance represented all things Virginian with dogwood branches, magnolia leaves, ham biscuits, chicken with waffles (a southern favorite), fried green tomatoes, oysters, shrimp, and crab cakes.
As the temperature cools and the leaves begin to change, the atmosphere may quiet down at Colonial Downs, but we are all looking forward to our first Road to the Derby prep race in Virginia in the spring.
Keeneland’s yearlings sale kicks off in the sale’s ring on Monday, September 9th. With 6 books and 12 sessions this sale offers 4,424 of the country’s most diverse yearlings. Please refer to the schedule below when horses go to the ring.
See the file below for all Virginia-bred and Virginia-certified horses listed in the sale.
Concluding the sale, Virginia-Certified horses sold for an average of $133,500 and Virginia-Bred horses sold for an average of $96,500.
Come Celebrate Virginia Racing
Churchill Downs Inc. and the Virginia Equine Alliance invite VTA members, owners and trainers to the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs Racetrack on Saturday, September 7. Join us on the 4th floor for the grand closer of the 2024 season. Only those with reservations will have access to Suites 6 and 7 and a lunch buffet served in the ballroom. Reservations are restricted to 4 spots per party and space is limited. We will maintain a waiting list once capacity is reached.
Email Kiersten Wall at kiersten.wall@easterassociates with questions or to be added to the waiting list. Reservation deadline is September 1st or when event reaches capacity.
Make your reservation now as space is limited! $50 per person includes 4th floor access, food and drinks. PLUS you have all day suite access to view the races.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2024
Join us at the Warrenton Horse Show Grounds at 9:00am on August 26th. Show off your, registered, Virginia Bred, Virginia Sired, or Virginia Certified yearlings. Horses in the Virginia certified program must have completed their 6 months residency prior to August 26 and completed registration with the VTA as well as be Jockey Club certified.
To register your Virginia Bred or Virginia Sired yearling please visit the following website: https://services.easterassociates.com/thoroughbred/home
See the following for important information and forms.
Fasig-Tipton’s yearlings continues at Saratoga Springs, New York in the sales paddocks the second week of August. Hips 301-400 will go to the ring on August 11th starting at 7:00pm. The sale will continue on August 12th at Noon until its completion with hips 401-600.
See the file below for all Virginia Certified horses listed in the sale. There are not any Virginia Bred horses entered in this sale.
Fasig-Tipton’s select yearlings sale takes place on August 5th and 6th, 2024 at Saratoga Springs, New York. Hips 1-120 will go to the sales ring on August 5th starting at 6:30pm. The sale will continue on August 6th at 6:30pm until its completion with hips 121-240.
See the file below for all Virginia Bred horses listed in the sale. There are not any Virginia certified horses entered in this sale.
As a reminder, all VTA members are welcome to enjoy our suites, 6 and 7, on the 4th floor for light food and a good view. Get out of the heat and enjoy the air conditioning with us between races.
Our suites will be open each race day, but please note the important dates below. On these days we will have increased hospitality with a bit heavier food. Keep in mind the days that will be structured differently are Legislative Day and Virginia Derby Day. Otherwise all current members are welcome!
Thursday, July 11 – Opening Day
Saturday, July 20 – Virginia Bred Day
Saturday, August 10 – Legislative Day
Saturday, August 11 – Commonwealth Day
Saturday, September 7 – Virginia Derby Day
See the following for additional activities provided by Colonial Downs Racetrack:
July 13: Rosie’s giveback day, inflatable race, 18-month calendar giveaway, pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, Dream catchers Lark & Tater wedding (12:30pm).
July 20: Richmond Flying Squirrels Day, Mascots Nutsy & Natasha 1p-3p, Richmond Flying Squirrels street crew, petting zoo, face painting, junior jockey club 3p-4p, inflatable race.
July 27: Sunrise at Colonial Downs 7AM-10AM (morning training open to the public with complimentary donuts and coffee), PDJF & NASCAR day, petting zoo, face painting, junior jockey club 3p-4p, pace car display, NASCAR special giveaway, inflatable race.
August 3: Taste of New Kent (parking lots 4 & 5), Colonial Downs hat giveaway, petting zoo, face painting, junior jockey club 3p-4p, inflatable race.
August 17: New Kent county fair day, petting zoo, face painting, junior jockey club 3p-4p, inflatable race.
August 24: Wiener dog racing, pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, $4 footlong hot dogs on the Apron, inflatable race.
August 31: Commonwealth champions day, petting zoo, face painting, inflatable race.
Stay tuned for special activities on August 10th and September 7th.