Complete Guide to Thoroughbred Racing & Betting in the Birthplace of American Horse Racing
Pari-Mutuel Track
Annual Racing Days (2025)
Festival Purses
General Admission
Virginia boasts an extraordinary racing heritage as the birthplace of American horse racing, with a tradition spanning more than 400 years. From the colonial era through modern times, the Commonwealth has been home to some of the sport's most legendary thoroughbreds and breeding operations. Today, Colonial Downs represents Virginia's premier pari-mutuel thoroughbred racing venue, featuring expanded racing schedules, world-class amenities, and prestigious stakes races including the $500,000 Virginia Derby.
As the owner of Colonial Downs and the Rosie's Gaming network of off-track betting parlors, Churchill Downs has invested significantly in revitalizing Virginia's racing industry. With 44 racing days featuring an average of $700,000 in daily purses and major stakes races totaling over $2.5 million, Virginia has reestablished itself as a premier destination for thoroughbred racing on the East Coast.
Location: 10515 Colonial Downs Parkway, New Kent, VA 23124
Website: rosiesgaming.com
Ownership: Churchill Downs, Inc.
Racing Type: Thoroughbred Flat Racing
Track Details: Located adjacent to Interstate 64, halfway between Richmond and Williamsburg. Features a 1¼-mile dirt track (the country's second largest, next to Belmont Park) and an exceptionally wide 180-foot Secretariat Turf Course, the widest grass surface of any track in North America. Over 80% of summer thoroughbred races are held over the turf course.
Ownership History: Opened September 1, 1997, with more than 13,000 attending opening day. Closed in 2014 due to economic challenges but reopened in 2019 under new Churchill Downs ownership with historical horse racing gaming machines to supplement live racing revenue.
Colonial Downs features an expanded 2025 racing schedule with two separate meets designed to maximize racing opportunities and purses:
Dates: March 13-15, 2025
Racing Type: Dirt racing only
Highlight: $500,000 Virginia Derby (March 15)
Features: New three-day spring meet debuting in 2025, marking expansion of Virginia racing opportunities
Dates: July 9 - September 13, 2025
Racing Days: 41-day stand, four days per week
Schedule: Wednesday-Saturday racing
Post Times: 12:30 PM daily, 4 PM Friday twilight cards
Average Daily Purses: $700,000
Date: August 9, 2025 (Saturday)
Colonial Downs' premier racing event features world-class graded stakes races with over $2.5 million in total purses:
| Race Name | Grade/Type | Purse | Distance/Notes | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Derby | Kentucky Derby Points Race | $500,000 | Dirt, for 3-year-olds | March 15 |
| Virginia Oaks | Kentucky Oaks Points Race | $250,000 | For 3-year-old fillies | Summer Meet |
| Arlington Million | Grade I | $1,000,000 | Turf | August 9 (Festival) |
| Beverly D. Stakes | Grade II | $500,000 | Turf | August 9 (Festival) |
| Secretariat Stakes | Grade II | $500,000 | Turf | August 9 (Festival) |
| Virginia Breeder's Championships | Virginia-Restricted | $80,000+ | 8 races for 2- & 3-year-olds | Summer Meet |
| Virginia Sired Stakes | Virginia-Restricted | $60,000+ | 4 races for 2-year-olds | Summer Meet |
Virginia is rightfully known as the birthplace of American horse racing, with a thoroughbred tradition spanning over 400 years. From the colonial era through today, Virginia has been home to America's greatest racehorses and most influential breeding operations.
Unlike the anti-gambling Puritans in Massachusetts, Virginia colonists brought horses in 1609 and maintained English gambling traditions, including betting on horses. The first racetrack in Virginia was a 1-mile oval operating by 1739 at Williamsburg, establishing Virginia as a racing leader from the nation's earliest days.
Born at The Meadow Event Park in Doswell, Virginia, Secretariat won the Triple Crown in 1973, running record times in all three races (Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont). His legendary 31-length victory in the Belmont Stakes captivated the nation and elevated thoroughbred racing to unprecedented national prominence.
The first horse to win the Triple Crown, accomplishing the historic feat in 1919 by winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes.
Bred in Virginia, this legendary racehorse achieved an nearly flawless record of 21 wins from 22 races, establishing himself as one of the greatest racehorses of all time.
Owned and trained by Marion duPont Scott of Montpelier Stable, Battleship made history in 1938 as the first American-owned and bred horse to win the legendary English Grand National at Aintree.
Marion duPont Scott's Montpelier Stable dominated American steeplechasing for more than half a century, with her horses claiming more than 350 victories. The historic Montpelier estate, now part of James Madison's historic property, continues to host the Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase races annually in Fauquier County, attracting thousands of spectators. The Montpelier Hunt Races represent Virginia's enduring commitment to equine excellence.
Virginians drove their Thoroughbred industry to the third most productive ranking in America by 1978. The establishment of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association in 1941 formalized the state's commitment to promoting and advancing thoroughbred racing. Colonial Downs, opening in 1997, became Virginia's pari-mutuel thoroughbred track, affirming Virginia's position as a major racing state despite economic challenges in 2014-2019.
Horse racing betting is fully legal in Virginia both in-person at Colonial Downs and online through licensed Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) operators. Virginia offers one of the most accessible online horse racing betting environments in the United States.
Authority: The Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) oversees and regulates all horse racing, pari-mutuel wagering, advance deposit wagering (online betting), and historical horse racing machines in Virginia.
Mission: To promote, sustain, grow, and control a native horse racing industry with pari-mutuel wagering by prescribing regulations and conditions that command and promote excellence, complete honesty, and integrity in racing and wagering.
Responsibilities: Licenses racing participants (owners, operators, trainers, jockeys), regulates online racebooks through ADW licensing, oversees pari-mutuel wagering, supervises facilities, conducts inspections, and administers drug testing programs.
Overview: Churchill Downs operates Rosie's Gaming Emporium locations throughout Virginia, offering off-track betting and historical horse racing machines. Historical horse racing machines resemble slot machines and allow bettors to place wagers on archived horse races. The network has expanded significantly, with the opening of The Rose Gaming Resort in Dumfries (October 2024) adding 1,650 new HHR machines.
Locations: Multiple Rosie's Gaming parlors throughout Virginia provide convenient access to horse racing wagering and entertainment outside of race days at Colonial Downs.
Important: Tickets to Colonial Downs are sold exclusively through Ticketmaster.com. The venue advises against purchasing from secondary resellers as they cannot guarantee seats purchased from alternative sources.
Contact: [email protected] | rosiesgaming.com
Virginia's horse racing tradition spans over 400 years, beginning in 1609 when colonists brought the first horses to the Commonwealth. Unlike Puritans in Massachusetts, Virginia colonists maintained English gambling traditions including betting on horses. The first racetrack in America was a 1-mile oval in Williamsburg, established by 1739. Virginia's racing heritage produced legendary horses including Sir Barton (first Triple Crown winner in 1919), Native Dancer, and Secretariat (1973 Triple Crown winner).
Colonial Downs features two distinct racing meets in 2025: the new Spring Meet (March 13-15) featuring the $500,000 Virginia Derby on March 15, and the expanded Summer Meet (July 9 - September 13) with 41 racing days, four days per week (Wednesday-Saturday). Post times are 12:30 PM daily with 4 PM Friday twilight cards. The Festival of Racing on August 9 features world-class graded stakes races worth $2.5M+.
Yes! Virginia allows online horse racing betting through licensed Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) operators. You must be 18 or older to place online wagers. Virginia offers one of the most accessible online horse racing betting environments in the United States. Multiple licensed ADW operators are regulated by the Virginia Racing Commission and offer mobile betting options.
Colonial Downs hosts several world-class stakes races: the $500,000 Virginia Derby (Grade I, Kentucky Derby points race) held in March; the $250,000 Virginia Oaks (Kentucky Oaks points race); and the Festival of Racing in August featuring the $1,000,000 Arlington Million (Grade I), $500,000 Beverly D. Stakes (Grade II), and $500,000 Secretariat Stakes (Grade II), totaling over $2.5 million in purses.
Yes! General admission is free on most race days at Colonial Downs. For four premium racing events annually, general admission is available at the fan-friendly price of just $5. Children 5 and under are always free. Premium seating options (reserved seats, box seats, restaurant seating) are available for an additional fee for those desiring upgraded amenities.
Colonial Downs features one of North America's most exceptional grass racing surfaces — the Secretariat Turf Course. At 180 feet wide, it is the widest grass surface of any track in North America. Over 80% of Colonial Downs' summer thoroughbred races are held over this premium turf course, providing excellent racing conditions and exciting competition for grass specialists.
Colonial Downs is owned and operated by Churchill Downs, Inc., a leading horse racing operator in the United States. Churchill Downs acquired Colonial Downs and reopened it in 2019 after the facility had closed in 2014. Churchill Downs also operates the Rosie's Gaming Emporium locations throughout Virginia, offering off-track betting and historical horse racing machines.
Secretariat was one of the greatest racehorses of all time, born in Virginia at The Meadow Event Park in Doswell. In 1973, Secretariat won the Triple Crown, running record times in all three races (Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont). His 31-length victory in the Belmont Stakes captivated the nation. Colonial Downs' magnificent 180-foot wide turf course is named the Secretariat Turf Course in honor of this legendary Virginia-bred champion.
The Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) is the regulatory body overseeing all horse racing activities in Virginia, including pari-mutuel wagering at Colonial Downs, advance deposit wagering (online betting), and historical horse racing machines. The VRC licenses racing participants, regulates online racebooks, supervises facilities, conducts inspections, and administers drug testing programs to ensure integrity and excellence in Virginia racing.
Colonial Downs is located at 10515 Colonial Downs Parkway, New Kent, VA 23124, adjacent to Interstate 64, halfway between Richmond and Williamsburg. The convenient I-64 location makes it easily accessible from most of Virginia. From Richmond, it's approximately 30 minutes east on I-64. From Williamsburg, it's approximately 30 minutes west on I-64. Ample free parking is available at the facility.
Last updated on November 27, 2025