Spring Is Almost Here — 2021 Virginia Point-to-Point, Steeplechase Dates & More

Spring is right around the corner at last and that means the Virginia Point-to-Point racing season is about to kick off! A complete schedule and details are available now at centralentryoffice.com, along with 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 13 with the Warrenton Point-to-Point and continues with events most every weekend through the end of April. Respective Point-to-Point meets include the Piedmont Fox Hounds (March 20), Second Warrenton Point-to-Point (March 28), Old Dominion Hounds (April 3), Blue Ridge Hunt (April 11), Loudoun Hunt (April 18) and Middleburg Hunt (May 9) Point-to-Points. The Warrenton meets will be run spectator-free.

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 (May 1), Virginia Gold Cup Races (May 29), Foxfield Fall Races in Charlottesville (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 is available at centralentryoffice.com and nationalsteeplechase.com.

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. Virginia Derby Night is Tuesday August 31. A complete list of stakes races and more meet details is at colonialdowns.com.

The 2021 thoroughbred season at Colonial Downs will run from July 19 – September 1.

Harness racing will return to Shenandoah Downs in Woodstock for the sixth annual fall season. A five week campaign will run from September 17 – October 16 with racing every Friday at 4 PM and Saturday at 1 PM. A four day harness meet will also take place during the Shenandoah County Fair on September 1 – 4. More details are at shenandoahdowns.com.

Harness racing takes place in September and October in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Photo by Andy Huffmyer.