News

Even though horses won’t be competing in Shenandoah County Fair harness races until August 28th — and later in September and October during the Shenandoah Downs racing season — horses were on the track last week, but for a different purpose. The Harness Horse Youth Foundation (HHYF) rolled into town, complete with truck, trailer and … Continue reading Youth Campers Learn About Harness Horses Up Close And Personal At Shenandoah Downs →

(WOODSTOCK, VA—7/14/19) — The 2019 license application and race day request submitted by the Shenandoah County Agricultural Foundation for a fall harness racing season at Shenandoah Downs was approved by the Virginia Racing Commission this past week at its regular meeting. Operations will conducted by the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) and Virginia Harness Horse Association … Continue reading Virginia Racing Commission Approves Shenandoah Downs License Application; 4th Season Kicks Off September 13th →

The following appeared in The Paulick Report July 14th. Sea Hero, winner of the 1993 Kentucky Derby, has died in Turkey from the infirmities of old age, according to a report from the Turkish Jockey Club. He was the oldest living Kentucky Derby winner at 29 years old. Born in Virginia the son of Polish … Continue reading Kentucky Derby Winner & Virginia-Bred Sea Hero Dies In Turkey At Age 29 →

The following appeared in The Racing Biz and was written by Nick Hahn. On Wednesday, July 10, stakeholders provided one of their last formal updates to the Racing Commission prior to the August 8 re-opening of Colonial Downs. In other words: they’re into the stretch! Jill Byrne, Colonial’s Vice-President of Racing Operations, updated commissioners on … Continue reading Colonial Downs “Good News Story”, Byrne Tells Commission →

The following piece appeared at www.nationalsteeplechase.com in late June and focused on upcoming races at Saratoga, Monmouth and Colonial Downs. National Steeplechase Association racing shifts to the pari-mutuel tracks this month with a visit to Monmouth Park on June 21 and continues through Labor Day with racing programs at Parx Racing, Saratoga Race Course, and … Continue reading Jump Racing Showcased At Pari-Mutuel Meets Including Colonial Downs →

(NEW KENT, VA — 7/7/19) —-With less than five weeks to go until live thoroughbred racing returns to Virginia, things are ramping up at the New Kent oval. Behind the scenes work continues in anticipation of the stable area opening July 25th and the first race going to post on August 8th. Dan Waits, Executive … Continue reading Behind The Scenes Work Continues At Colonial Downs In Preparation For August 8th Opener →

The following appeared in The Paulick Report July 4th and was written by Ryan Martin of NYRA. Did you know there are now 7 different Off Track Betting sites in Virginia where you can wager big stakes this weekend including the Suburban Handicap and Belmont Derby? Try any of the four VA-Horseplay locations at Breakers … Continue reading Catholic Boy Back To Dirt For Grade 2 Suburban →

The following appeared in the Richmond Times Dispatch July 1st and was written by Graham Moomaw with photos by Daniel Sangjib. Retiree Bina Williams and her group showed up at 8:30 a.m. Monday to be one of the first to get in when Rosie’s Gaming Emporium opened its doors. It was a wise move, because … Continue reading Big Turnout As Colonial Downs Opens Gambling Parlor In South Richmond →