Scenes From 41st Annual Virginia Thoroughbred Championship Awards Ceremony

The 41st annual Virginia Thoroughbred Championship Awards took place May 3rd at Great Meadow in The Plains on the eve of the of the 94th Virginia Gold Cup Races. Here are photos from the event and of award recipients.

A jockey statue with the late William Backer’s colors greeted attendees at the VTA Awards ceremony May 3rd.

Brooke Rosyter of Chance Farm accepts the award for 2018 Champion 3-year-old Filly, Altamura. He is pictured with VTA Presidernt Jill Gordon-Moore and Executive Director Debbie Easter.

Jim and Katie Fitzgerald of Chilly Bleak Farm in Marshall accept the award for Elusive Mischief, 2018 Champion Virginia-Bred 3-Year-Old Colt.

Wayne and Susie Chatfield-Taylor of Morgan’s Ford Farm accept the award for Realm, 2018 Champion Virginia-Bred Dirt Horse.

Owner/breeder Sara Collette talks about her 2018 Champion Virginia-Bred Over Fences, Zanclus. He won the ’18 Virginia Gold Cup.

Susan Cooney was named Virginia-Based Trainer of the Year. Her horses won 16 times and earned $492,265 in purse winnings.

Mrs. William Backer of Smitten Farm accepts the award for 2018 Breeder of the Year. Moving forward, she announced that the Backer Estate’s horses will will list her—Ann Backer— as breeder.

Rene and Lauren Woolcott, along with staff from their Woodslane Farm, celebrated as Sadler’s Joy was named 2018 Champion Virginia-Raised Horse.

Albert Coppola, accompanied by his wife and son, accepted the award for 2018 Virginia-Bred Horse of the Year and Champion Turf Horse — One Go All Go –from VTA Executive Director Debbie Easter.

VEA Executive Director Jeb Hannum briefed attendees on 2019 racing-related activities in Virginia.

Maryalice Thomas puts finishing touches on a jockey statue with the Backer Estate’s colors.

The VTA awards ceremony took place in the trackside Turf Club tent overlooking the Great Meadow countryside.