In honor of International Womens Day we celebrate Penny Chenery and her contributions to the horse racing industry both in the Commonwealth of Viriginia and to the sport as a whole. Exceptional Horsewomen like Penny have paved the way for the modern racing industry in Virginia!

Originally posted on Americasbestracing.net.

Penny Chenery and her most famous horse, Secretariat. (Paul Schafer/BloodHorse photo)

The letters meant so much to Penny Chenery, breeder and owner of 1973 Triple Crown champion Secretariat. They were written by ambitious girls from coast to coast, telling her she served as a role model for them.

In an age when there was no emphasis on providing women with an advanced education, Chenery attended Columbia Business School. That gave her the background she needed as she turned around faltering Meadow Stable, a racing and breeding operation founded by her father, Christopher.

Chenery, who passed away in September 2017 at age 95, never forgot her father’s encouragement and how much that meant to her.

“He told me, ‘You can accomplish anything you want to, as long as you work hard and care,’ ” she remembered in a 2015 interview.

She became determined to revive Meadow Stable for reasons that involved the heart more than business. “I love horses and I loved my dad,” she said. “He was failing and my brother and sister wanted to sell the stable and I said, ‘No, not while Dad is alive.’ ”

Chenery and Secretariat enter the winner’s circle. (Bob Coglianese)

Chenery embraced the role of a rare female leader in business. She knew horses, having ridden since age 5, and she was prepared to make tough decisions. She fired Casey Hayes, the farm’s long-time trainer, in 1969.

After consulting with family friend and business associate Bull Hancock of Claiborne Farm, she hired Roger Laurin to replace Hayes. He helped to make the operation profitable again before leaving to train for the Phipps family. Chenery hired Roger’s father, Lucien, to succeed him.

Her wisdom and diligence paid off in a big way in 1972. Riva Ridge swept the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes while Secretariat began to fulfill his seemingly boundless potential as the champion 2-year-old.

Chenery thought highly of Secretariat from the minute he was born.

“He was a strong foal and he had an air about him. He was very self-confident,” she said. “He was the boss.”

He achieved somewhat measured victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 1973, each time holding sway by 2 1/2 lengths. Ron Turcotte, always believing a Triple Crown was well within reach, kept as much in reserve as possible for the Belmont Stakes.

And then he emptied the tank. That led to one of the most monumental performances in any sport, one Chenery remembers so vividly. Secretariat broke sharply this time; there was no hanging back the way he had in the first two legs. Sham was determined to make him run and make him run early. Sham gave everything he had – it was not nearly enough.

“He just ground Sham down,” Chenery said.

She could still hear Chic Anderson’s famous call, his voice rising with excitement. “Secretariat is widening now. He is moving like a tremendous machine!” She could still hear Lucien, always fearing the worst, saying, “Ronnie, don’t fall off.“

She could still see Secretariat, all but flying down the stretch as Turcotte peeked behind him to see the scorched competition almost fading from view.

Her pride in Secretariat was as strong in 2015 as it was when he was hailed as a Triple Crown champion. “He’s a hero without blemish,” she said. “He’s a true champion you can admire from any field.”

Chenery went on to join Martha Gerry and Allaire du Pont as the first women to be admitted as members of The Jockey Club. It was only fitting.

Note: This artice was originally published in 2015 and has been updated.

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Fun Facts

• Her father, Christopher Chenery, overcame childhood poverty to make a fortune in utilities.
• She served as a Red Cross volunteer who traveled to France as a Doughnut Girl to boost troop morale during World War II.
• She bred Saratoga Dew, the first New York-bred to win an Eclipse Award. Saratoga Dew was voted the top 3-year-old filly in 1992.
• She was portrayed by Diane Lane in the 2010 motion picture “Secretariat.”
• She received honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va., in March 2011.

The Blue Ridge Hunt Point-to-point returns to Woodley Farm in Berryville, VA on Saturday, March 30th for its 75th running. For the first time, the event will feature NSA-sanctioned races! The two sanctioned races are sponsored by the VEA and will feature purses of $15,000.  Gates open at 10 AM and the first post is 1 PM. For tickets and more information visit BRH | Blue Ridge Hunt.

Originally Posted on Clarkeva.com, written by Rebecca Maynard

Everyone in the community is invited on Saturday, March 30 to enjoy the running of the Blue Ridge Hunt’s 75th annual point-to-point races, held at Woodley Farm.

The historic 383-acre property is located at 490 Woodley Lane, two and a half miles south of Berryville. It was originally bought by Daniel Sowers in the 1830s from George Washington’s cousin and has been used for fox hunting ever since. One of the unique things about the property is that it has one of the only point-to-point courses in Virginia that allows spectators to see the entire course at one time.

As Norm Fine notes in his history, today’s followers of the Blue Ridge hounds ride over the same hills and fields and along the same twists and turns of the Shenandoah River as did George Washington nearly 300 years ago when he followed the hounds of his employer and friend Thomas, the sixth Lord Fairfax. At 16, Washington had come to Fairfax’s Greenway Court in what is now White Post, to help survey Fairfax’s holdings. The two pursued the native gray fox behind hounds that Fairfax had sent over from England prior to his arrival.

Fine explains that fox hunting in Virginia flourished privately until the massive changes after the Civil War set the stage for the formation of organized hunts and subscription packs. The period following the war saw a number of Englishmen moving to Virginia, many of whom were fox hunters in their native England. One such Englishman, Archibald Bevan, helped to organize the Blue Ridge Hunt in 1888, and he served as its first Master.

A hundred thirty-six years later, Jeffrey LeHew, Joint Master of the Blue Ridge Hunt and chairman of the races, says that this year is a special one.

“It’s our 75th year at Woodley Farm, which is a big deal for us, and we’ve had races for all these years,” LeHew said. “We have the same things we’ve always had — a parade of fox hounds, a parade of beagles, a kids’ stick horse race, car show, and carriage parade. What we’re having this year is special, and something we’ve never had before. We’re fortunate enough to have the National Steeplechase Association sanction two of our races, and with the help of the Virginia Equine Alliance sponsorship, those two races will have purses of $15,000 each. Because of the purses, we hope they will bring in some really nice racehorses from the East Coast.”

Attendees are welcome to bring picnic lunches to enjoy on the general admission hillside, and food vendors will also be on site, along with a “vendor village” with crafters and other items for sale. There will also be an appearance by the
Easter Bunny.

“We moved our date forward two weeks to March 30, but another exciting thing is we moved it from Sunday to Saturday, and that is a big deal,” LeHew said, explaining that many people had expressed a preference for Saturday in order to be able to picnic and enjoy the day without being concerned with work or school the next day.

General admission is $30 for a carload ahead of time and $40 at the gate, and reservations can be made online at www.blueridgehunt.org or by phone at 540-931-1919. LeHew said there is a new, easy to use online ticketing option this year that allows people to view a chart and reserve parking spaces.

“We hope that many in the community will come out and that we’ll get a big crowd, even if they don’t like horse racing, because there are so many other things to do,” LeHew said.

Originally posted on Harnessracingupdate.com on 3/8/2024, Written by Chris Lomon.

Aidan Turnage-Barney always treasures the moment when he sees the smiles grow wider and wider.

It is a scene he has witnessed, first-hand, dozens of times, and will no doubt view countless times in the future. While reactions are nearly identical, Turnage-Barney will never grow tired of watching them unfold.

“My biggest enjoyment is having a new fan come to the track and see them really get it,” Turnage-Barney said. “Whether it’s at Colonial [Downs] or Shenandoah [Downs], taking people to the backside where they can see the horses up close, I find there is always a moment where they get it, they understand what makes our sport so great. To me, it’s the click of them understanding why we all love it so much and why we do it.”

The 24-year-old, who currently holds the reins of marketing and racing operations assistant for the Virginia Equine Alliance and field director for the VHBPA, can certainly relate.

He was once that kid; and still very much is.

“My journey at the racetrack started when I was little,” he said. “I have family down in Virginia and my uncle used to work at Colonial Downs as a host, taking people around for tours and things like that. I grew up going to the races — this is when Colonial had both thoroughbred and standardbred racing — and I loved it all.

“Growing up and going to school — I was a Recreation Management Major at Lock Haven University [in Pennsylvania] — I always loved going to the races. I made a point of trying to get to Colonial Downs every time I was in Virginia.”

Hired as an intern at VHBPA two years ago, Turnage-Barney’s unabashed enthusiasm for the sport is unmistakable.

He has already made significant contributions to the Virginia horse racing industry.

Turnage-Barney, who covers the nine-week summer thoroughbred meet at Colonial Downs, also helps in all departments at the spring and fall Shenandoah Downs harness meets in Woodstock.

“I started working as an intern for the VHBPA,” he said. “I worked for the thoroughbred horsemen’s group at Colonial Downs for that first summer. I fell in love with it right away. Getting to work on the backstretch and meeting so many people, seeing how people — grooms, hotwalkers, trainers — work so hard to get the horses ready to run. It was important for me to see that.

“After I graduated, Darrell Wood offered me the opportunity to come work as a full-time VEA employee. Being involved with the racing at Shenandoah Downs and continuing my work with Colonial, and then everything in-between in the off-season; it keeps me busy.”

All the experiences helped further his passion for the sport and its equine athletes and spurred his dedication to attract more people to the racing offerings in Virginia.

Turnage-Barney would love to see more people in his demographic coming to the racetrack.

“I never understood why it was never a bigger draw for people in my age group,” Turnage-Barney said. “When I was in college, sports wagering was always such a big thing with kids my age. I got obsessed with this idea of getting younger people to go to the races and wagering.”

He would also like to see Virginia horse people earn more recognition for what they do.

“It stuns me every day that there are these people in horse racing who spend their whole lives dedicated to this sport and their craft,” he said. “What they do is magnificent.

“To me, it’s all about spreading the awareness of what goes on in the backstretch. People don’t realize all the effort and commitment that goes into putting on great racing. I know that energy and I have been sharing that ever since.”

Turnage-Barney is also proud to share, unprompted, how he feels about his roles in racing.

What is the best part of his job?

“I tell my friends all the time that I have the best job in the world,” he said. “It’s never the same day twice. One day, I’m in Woodstock getting miniature horses ready for a special race at Shenandoah, and the next day, I am in a horsemen’s meeting.

“I get to be all over the place and see the sport from so many different viewpoints. I soak it all in and try to be the biggest benefit I can to horse racing in Virginia.”

It means a lot of time on the road and meeting a lot of people throughout the week.

“One of the things I do for both breeds is to go around to all the farms to make sure the horses are where they are supposed to be, in order for them to be eligible for our certified programs,” Turnage-Barney said. “I have days where I hop in my pickup truck and drive around Virginia to talk to the farmers and horsemen and do whatever I can do to help them and encourage them to bring more of their horses to the racetracks in our state.

“I love everything I do every day. I’m busy, but I like to be busy. The biggest challenge is that I am always moving, but it’s not a challenge because I enjoy it so much.”

Don’t expect his enthusiasm to wane.

“The thing I think is so unique about Virginia horse racing is the community we have built through all of our organizations; the fluidness between the thoroughbred and standardbred horse people,” he said. “The VEA being involved in all of it bridges all of it together and has led to great relationships with the people who play integral roles in our sport. We all come together and work as a team, to do what is best for horse racing here.”

Creating awareness and enjoyment of the sport remains a top priority for Turnage-Barney.

There is no doubt he has a knack for it.

“Every person I have been able to introduce to our sport, my hope is that we have crafted a life-long fan,” he said.

The Rappahannock Hunt Point-to-Point (PTP) Race took place over the weekend, and it was an exciting event for equestrian enthusiasts and fans of steeplechase racing. The race took place on Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Boston, Virginia.

The Rappahannock Hunt is one of the oldest Point-to-Point races in Virginia, dating back to 1951 when the first races were held. The event attracts riders and horses from all over the region, and it has become a popular fixture in the local equestrian calendar.

The spring PTP season continues at the Airlie Racecourse March 16 with the Warrenton Hunt Point-to-Point, followed by others at the Salem Course in Upperville March 23 (Piedmont Fox Hounds), the Woodley Farm in Berryville April 30 (Blue Ridge Hunt), the Ben Venue Farm in Ben Venue April 6 (Old Dominion Hounds), Morven Park in Leesburg April 21 (Loudoun Hunt) and Glenwood Park in Middleburg April 28 (Middleburg Hunt).

Overall, the Rappahannock Hunt Point-to-Point Race was a great success, with a lively atmosphere, and some fantastic racing action. Equestrian fans will no doubt be eagerly anticipating next year’s event, which promises to be even bigger and better than ever before.

Thanks to Douglas Lees for the Exceptional Photography!

Virginia horse racing fans got to celebrate a milestone event Wednesday February 7 as a ceremonial groundbreaking for the magnificent bronze Secretariat “Racing into History’ monument took place in Ashland on the outer edge of the Randolph Macon College campus. The ceremony took place under gorgeous sunny skies, and a large, appreciative crowd was on hand to celebrate Virginia’s greatest athlete — who also happens to be a hometown hero. Groundbreaking speakers included Kate Tweedy (daughter of Secretariat owner Penny Chenery Tweedy), Jocelyn Russell (sculptor of the Secretariat statue), Steve Trivett (Mayor of​ Ashland) and Ann Martin (President of the Ashland Museum). 

A formal statue dedication will take place on Saturday March 30 during Secretariat’s birthday celebration in Ashland. The grand event will feature vendors, food trucks, a choir, guest speakers, photo opportunities and a free showing of the movie Secretariat at the Ashland Theatre among other activities. 

The Town of Ashland accepted the monument the evening prior where it took formal ownership of Big Red. Secretariat will be based on land at the college that has been leased to the Town. The small park — located the intersection of England Street & Railroad Avenue — will formally be named the Reynolds Family Plaza at Randolph Macon College.

“It was a wonderful ceremony and a very moving moment for me,” noted Tweedy. “It was the culmination of a long project and a lot of good work. Last night was a crowning achievement.”

“My grandfather began to fulfill his dream to breed and race good horses here in Virginia in 1936 and it took a long time before the greatest horse came around,” she continued. “My mom took over when he became ill and served as the steward of Secretariat. I can only imagine what Granddad and Mom would think about this project. I just know that they would be overwhelmingly proud and thrilled about today, and about what it will look like at the dedication ceremony. 

At the end of her remarks, Tweedy announced that a sandy area underneath the statue will include sand mixed in from track surface materials at all three Triple Crown host tracks — Churchill Downs, Pimlico and Belmont — in addition to sand from The Meadow, Big Red’s birthplace in Doswell. Sculptor Jocelyn Russell then took a pail of sand from The Meadow and spread it in with an existing sand mixture in front of the stage that was used for the ceremonial groundbreaking.    

Russell, who was emotional in discussing the scope of the sculpting process and the efforts from many that went into it, sent a blanket thank you to everyone involved and promised a longer speech at the dedication. 

Mayor Trivett referenced what a big event this is for Ashland and that the Town was breaking ground in a special way. “This is not only the first monument of Secretariat in Hanover County, or the first monument of Secretariat in Central Virginia, but the first monument of Secretariat in the state of Virginia! We are extremely proud to continue Ashland’s longstanding ties with Chenery family and on March 30th, this park will be the center of the ‘Center of the Universe’.” 

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In the last few months, the issue of Skill games in Virginia has come to a boiling point. After being deemed illegal on July 1st of this year, major players in the skill game industry have been lobbying and sending money to politicians in Virginia with the intention of bringing these machines back online. These unregulated gambling devices not only jeopardize the integrity of gaming in Virginia but also pose serious risks to economic impact of the racing industry and safety in the Commonwealth as a whole.

Key concerns regarding gray machines in Virginia:

1. Unregulated Gambling: Gray machines operate outside the purview of existing gambling regulations, creating an environment ripe for illegal activities. This not only undermines the legal framework but also allows these gray machines to operate without either the local or statewide referendums that were previously required for all casinos and OTB’s (Off Track Betting Parlors) in the Commonwealth.
2. Revenue Loss: The horse racing industry is a vital contributor to Virginia’s economy. The infiltration of gray machines threatens to divert potential revenue away from legitimate racing operations and the HHR machines that help fund the races in Virginia. Unlike other forms of gaming in the Commonwealth the “Skill-Games” are currently not obligated to pay any taxes and do not support any of the programs mandated with other gaming in the state (Gambling Addiction and Retired Racehorses programs). This could lead to money being taken away from everyone involved in the industry from Veterinarians, Truck Drivers, Racetrack Personal, and beyond.
3. Potential for Criminal Activities: Unregulated gambling environments often attract criminal elements. The unchecked growth of gray machines could open the door to money laundering, fraud, and other illicit activities that can further harm the overall safety of the locations these machines would be installed in all across the Commonwealth. Furthermore, these machines lack of accountability allows children much younger than the required 21 years of age to play to have the opportunity to participate in their local gas stations. This could lead to an explosion in underage gambling in the Commonwealth.

Here are couple of Articles from local outlets that have come out recently discussing the dangers of these games.

Keep ‘gray’ machines out of Virginia (richmond.com)

Virginia: Skill game legalization hits House roadblock (richmond.com)

As stakeholders in the Virginia horse racing community, it is imperative that we join forces to address this issue promptly. Here’s how you can help:

• Complete the form at the bottom of this email to Contact your Legislator!
• Spread Awareness: Share this information with fellow horse racing enthusiasts, industry professionals, and anyone else dedicated to protecting the “Sport of Kings” in the Commonwealth. Increased awareness is key to fostering a united front against the threat of gray machines.
• Advocate for Regulation: Support efforts to regulate and monitor gambling activities, urging policymakers to take decisive action to address the proliferation of gray machines.

Let us work together to safeguard the future of Horse racing in Virginia. By addressing the risks posed by gray machines, we can ensure a fair, transparent, and thriving environment for all involved. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.

Please contact your legislator here.

The following appeared in The Racing Biz

Larry Johnson’s Legacy Farm will for the first time stand his graded stakes winner True Valour (Ire) for 2024, as well as his homebred graded stakes winner Street Magician 

These decisions are designed to take advantage of the lucrative opportunities for Virginia state-sired horses in which not only are they eligible for the State-bred and State-certified stakes and overnight race bonuses offered at Colonial Downs, but also bonuses of 25% for wins at any track in the Midatlantic!

A breeder can foal a Virginia-sired horse anywhere (and be eligible for the foaling state’s bonus program) and still be eligible for these Virginia-focused bonuses without any residency or other requirements.

2024 marks True Valour’s second year at stud.  He is a multiple graded stakes  winner at several distances against the best in the country. In his last start he raced Breeders’ Cup winner Golden Pal to a head bob. (Golden Pal covered 290 mares at $30,000 in 2023).  As his trainer Graham Motion has said, True Valour had more speed than any horse he had ever trained.  At $2,000, True Valour offers significant value. 

Street Magician will resume his successful stallion career that boasts more than $10 million in progeny earnings, an ample number of stakes winners, along with several state-bred champions. He will stand for no fee to approved mares.

Both stallions will participate in the Virginia Thoroughbred Association’s stallion season auction, which takes place February 14. In addition, they will be eligible for viewing at an open house at Legacy Farm scheduled for January 27 and 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Virginia Gold Cup Adds a Grade 1 Stakes to its May 4 Date

Virginia’s horse racing event calendar for 2024 is set and in addition to dates at Colonial Downs (thoroughbred) and Shenandoah Downs (harness), seven spring Point-to-Point (PTP) meets along with seven National Steeplechase Association (NSA) sanctioned meets –- three in spring and four in fall — fill in the calendar. 

The Rappahannock PTP kicks the season off March 2 at The Hill in Boston with a rain date of the following Saturday, March 9.  Additional meets in March include Warrenton Hunt PTP March 16 at the Airlie Race Course, the Piedmont Fox Hounds PTP March 23 at the Salem Course in Upperville and the Blue Ridge Hunt PTP March 30 at the Woodley Farm in Berryville. Heading into April, the Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point kicks the month off on the 6^th at the Ben Venue Farm in Ben Venue, VA. followed by a pair of Sunday gatherings — the Loudoun Hunt PTP April 21 at Morven Park in Leesburg and the Middleburg Hunt PTP April 28 at Glenwood Park. 

The Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) will again offer a popular Starter Rewards initiative called “Point-to-Points Pay”. The program began in 2019 and has helped to enhance participation in the early spring race meets. The concept is straightforward— every time a Virginia-owned or Virginia-trained horse makes a start in any PTP race, the owner will receive a $200 starter reward. The bonus is designed to increase steeplechase participation at all levels, from owner-rider divisions to open hurdle and timber divisions.

Growth of this program is important and in 2024, two of the PTP meets will raise their profiles dramatically. The Old Dominion Hounds card will host a trio of NSA sanctioned races for the second year in a row and for the first time ever, the Blue Ridge Hunt will host a pair of NSA sanctioned events. 

“The Point-to-Point season is critical and gets horses ready for sanctioned races,” said NSA Director of Racing Bill Gallo. “It provides a feeding ground and gives trainers a good gauge on what they’ve got. The NSA is engaged with the Point-to- Points more than ever. It is a very exciting step to be able to combine sanctioned races into a non-sanctioned race card. That aspect provides a nice synergy between the Point-to-Points and the NSA.”

“Spring in Virginia is heralded for many by the beginning of the steeplechase season,” said NSA President, Dr. Al Griffin. “From the Point-to-Points that begin in March through the National Steeplechase Association meets in April and May, jump racing provides an exciting and varied experience to gather with family and friends for a great day at the races.”

A trio of those NSA spring jump meets will be contested on three consecutive Saturdays starting with the Middleburg Spring Races at Glenwood Park April 20 followed by the Foxfield Spring Races in Charlottesville April 27 and the Virginia Gold Cup at Great Meadow in The Plains –- that features pari-mutuel wagering — on Kentucky Derby Day, May 4.  Griffin spoke of unique aspects each of the three provide.

“In addition to great racing, Middleburg’s Spring Race Meet is known for its beautiful setting and spectacular tailgates. The Foxfield Races is where racing enthusiasts and college students come together to celebrate spring at a renewed and greatly updated Foxfield Racecourse. Foxfield also contributes significantly to the local community in the form of its financial support of local charities, including Habitat for Humanity.  The Gold Cup is known for its high quality racing and wide open race course and will be hosting a Grade One Hurdle Race this year for the first time, one of only two grade one steeplechase races in America run in the spring season.” 

Heading into warmer weather months, Colonial Downs will continue its successful weekly steeplechase program by offering two jump races every Friday during their summer thoroughbred meet — with a potential twist. Discussions are taking place about making the races part of Colonial’s betting card instead of presenting them before that day’s pari-mutuel program begins — and live streamed only to NSA online viewers. If that plan moves forward, the jump pair would be treated like Colonial’s flat races – simulcast to a broader audience that wagers an average of $2 million-plus per program. In all, 18 sanctioned steeplechase races will offered at the New Kent facility.

“Having our races there each week has been impactful to say the least,” said Gallo. “It has made a significant difference to our summer racing schedule. It’s remarkable actually. To be part of the pari-mutuel program this year would just add another element. Having two races per week over the 9-week meet enables us to focus on maiden and ratings races, in addition to two nice filly stakes races (Life’s Illusion & Randolph D. Rouse) which don’t conflict with Saratoga. This provides a tremendous opportunity for horsemen with jump racing at Saratoga on Wednesdays and at Colonial on Fridays. The schedule allows jockeys and trainers to travel back and forth easily.”

The state of steeplechase racing seems to be on the rise according to Gallo. “Coming out of pandemic, it’s been a long road back but it’s been a remarkable journey – from competing with no fans in 2020 to where we are now.  We have a solid horse population and have new owners coming into the sport. From an infrastructure standpoint, Foxfield revamped their racecourse and they, along with the Gold Cup, added an irrigation system to their course.  Foxfield will inherit races from Charlotte, North Carolina and be able to present an upgraded card in 2024 which includes a $75,000 novice stakes renamed in honor of D.G. Van Clief. Middleburg Spring Races plays host to the Temple Gwathmey Stakes and the Gold Cup has the Semmes and Gold Cup Stakes itself. That is an impressive spring stakes lineup between the three Virginia tracks.”

Foxfield’s Van Clief Stakes, which had been known as the Queen’s Cup, is the middle leg of a three-part series with the Carolina Cup and a novice stakes at Iroquois.    

Absent from the steeplechase scene this spring is Will O’Keefe, who passed away December 18. Will was a longtime race caller for race meets in Virginia and throughout the steeplechase circuit nationally who also wrote regularly for “In and Around Horse Country. “Will is a longtime Virginia horseman,” said Griffin. “Will’s voice was easily recognizable to all in racing and his enthusiastic calls defined the thrill of racing in the countryside for over 40 years.”

“It’s quite a loss,” added Gallo. “He wasn’t just a race caller. He worked the PTPs and created the Central Entry Office (clearinghouse for all events) which will continue to be used. I’ve known and worked with Will for 45 years. He is a special kind of guy. He put his heart and soul into racing. Will called in Maryland too so his presence went beyond Virginia. He had a big focus on Point to Points.”

The Secretariat For Virginia Committee (SECVA) of the Ashland Museum has announced the dates for the groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies for the “Secretariat Racing Into History” monument.  

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Reynolds Family Plaza at Randolph-Macon College, where the magnificent bronze will be permanently installed, will take place on Wednesday February 7 at the site at 11:00 am. The event is free and open to the public.   

The Secretariat Monument “Racing Into History” will be installed and ready for dedication by March 30.  Secretariat was born on that date in 1970 at Meadow Stable, which was founded by Christopher Chenery, formerly of Ashland.  The town will celebrate the dedication and birthday with a full day of festivities. More details will be announced soon.

“Secretariat Racing Into History,” by renowned sculptor Jocelyn Russell, is the first and only monument of the legendary Triple Crown champion in Virginia.  At 21 feet long and 11.5 feet tall, it is also the largest one in existence, weighing in at 3,500 pounds. The monument garnered national publicity last summer during its 5,000-mile tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown.

SECVA, the Ashland Museum, and many supporters, including Ashlanders, have raised the money to purchase the monument. Ownership will be officially conveyed to the town at a ceremony at the Town Council meeting on February 6.  

Virginia’s breeders benefitted from a continued business boom in 2023 courtesy of Historical Horse Racing (HHR) revenues at seven Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums located around the state and the continued renaissance of the Colonial Downs thoroughbred meet in New Kent which is expected to grow to 40 days in 2025.

Virginia breeder’s bonus monies distributed in 2023 nearly doubled that of levels from just two years ago — $1,850,000 versus $975,000 in 2021. Up until the 2022 campaign, bonus money had been paid for the win position only from races anywhere in North America. In the last two years (and moving forward) the bonus program was extended to reward not just wins, but seconds and third place finishes in any race including NSA sanctioned races. As a result, 65 different breeders earned awards in 2023 that came from 409 top-three finishes. In all, Virginia-bred horses collected 139 wins, 130 second place finishes and 138 thirds. 

As Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums continue to expand in the Commonwealth and more HHR terminals are placed in operation, signs point to the Breeder’s Fund incentive program potentially growing even more in coming years. A new Rosie’s resort hotel called The Rose is expected to open in mid-2024. The Northern Virginia venue will feature up to 1,200 HHR machines and replace the current Rosie’s in that market which only has 150 terminals.   

 

Topping the 2023 Breeders bonus leader board was Audley Farm Equine with $220,246 — from 31 individual awards. The uptick in award monies distributed has been dramatic. In 2021, the top bonus earning breeder, Morgan’s Ford Farm, received $126,694. Audley’s combined bonus checks that year amounted to $69,353. In this new era, Audley saw eight different horses they bred reach the winners circle in 2023 including Determined Kingdom, who had stakes scores in the Meadow Stable and Punch Line, Galilei, who crossed first in the Brookmeade Stakes, and Low Mileage, who was best in the Jamestown Stakes. All four victories took place at Colonial Downs and each produced a maximum $25,000 bonus return. In total, Audley recorded 11 wins, 12 seconds and 8 third place finishes.  

Runner-up by monies earned was Morgan’s Ford Farm with $133,566. Their 36 awards came from 8 wins, 16 second place finishes and 12 thirds. Alex Joon, with $326,809 in career purse earnings, captured the Edward P. Evans Stakes and cemented a $25,000 award. The 7​-year-old Flatter gelding cashed in from a trio of other bonus-earning performances at Keeneland, Oaklawn and Fair Grounds. Surya, who Morgan’s Ford also owns, did not reach the winners circle in 2023 but had five award-earning trips including a second and third in allowance company at Colonial. Morgan’s Ford also earned parts of 34 other awards in which they were co-breeders, which brought their total combined award tally to $251,000. 

Ann Mudge Backer and Smitten Farm took third place among bonus earners with $121,923. Among their 15 awards were six wins – four from Secretariat Stakes (G2) winner Gigante — to complement four runner-up finishes and a handful of thirds. Gigante’s other stakes wins were in the Woodchopper (Fair Grounds), Commonwealth Turf (Churchill) and Caesars Handicap (Horseshoe Indiana). The Backer/Smitten combo also connected with Just North at Laurel and Baytown Beaver at Mountaineer.      

Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin III herself scored five rewards, but all were for impressive 6-year-old Tapiture gelding Repo Rocks who won four stakes races in 2023. A career earner of $803,371, Repo Rocks prevailed in the G3 Westchester Stakes at Belmont, the Stymie and Toboggan Stakes at Aqueduct and the Blitzen Stakes at Parx. In all, Repo Rocks provided $108,886 in bonus monies. Horses bred by the Iselin family amassed $159,297 in awards.       

Daybreak Stables’ scored $96,454 in awards, much coming from two horses that had stellar campaigns — Mystic Seaport and Naked and Famous. The former had six wins, including five claiming race victories in a row between August 31 and December 10. The five-pack included wins at Colonial and Delaware Park and three at Laurel. The 4-year-old daughter of Midshipman earned four other awards for second and third place finishes. The latter, a 6-year-old Upstart gelding, bagged four triumphs that included an allowance score at Colonial and three claiming wins at Aqueduct. Overall, Daybreak had 13 wins, one runner-up and six thirds. 

Breeder Sam English II, whose year mirrored Iselin’s, received three winning bonus checks courtesy of Chambeau’s stakes wins in the Camptown and Tyson Gilpin/Glen Petty at Colonial, and an allowance win — also at Colonial — sandwiched between the two. In all, English’s late blooming 7-year-old mare captured four bonuses in New Kent — of five he received which totaled $85,917.     

Note that single bonuses in the incentive program are capped at $25,000. In 2023, there were 14 bonuses awarded at that maximum level. The Virginia Breeder’s Fund is generated by a percent of every dollar wagered in Virginia via HHR, OTB and ADW betting. The Virginia Racing Commission approves how the Fund monies can be used and distributed.