Colonial Downs announced Aug. 11 that the 2025 Virginia Derby has earned the distinction as a qualifying race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced the landmark event for Virginia horse racing from the winner’s circle at Colonial Downs alongside Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen and Churchill Downs board chairman Alex Rankin.

Gov. Youngkin Sunday at Colonial Downs (Coady Media)

“Churchill Downs has worked with partners throughout the Commonwealth to reinvigorate Virginia’s proud legacy of Thoroughbred racing and secure our place as a world-class destination for racing fans and equine talent from around the world,” Youngkin said. “The future for Thoroughbred racing in Virginia has never been brighter and this opportunity will allow us to shine on horse racing’s biggest stage.”   

The Virginia Derby has traditionally been a turf race that signified the culmination of the summer racing season. This year’s New Kent County Virginia Derby, along with live entertainment and family-friendly activities, will be held as scheduled Sept. 7.

Next year, as part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the Virginia Derby will transition to the dirt track and be held March 15, 2025, anchoring a new four-day spring meet at Colonial Downs. The winning horse will earn 50 qualifying points and very likely be guaranteed a place in the starting gate for the May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve at Churchill Downs. Based on point allocations for 2024, second through fifth-place finishers would receive points on a 25-15-10-5 scale.

Virginia Speaker of the House Don Scott shared his enthusiasm for the announcement, saying, “It is exciting that the Road to the Kentucky Derby will now run through Virginia. Churchill Downs has elevated the stature and economic impact of Thoroughbred racing in the Commonwealth while creating jobs, generating significant tax revenue in communities around the state, and offering race fans a memorable experience at the track.” 

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“We are thankful for the investment of Churchill Downs in the Virginia horse-racing industry. In 2025, Colonial Downs will race 47 days, which is up from 27 days in 2022, the last race meet before Churchill Downs acquired Colonial Downs,” Virginia’s Secretary of Agriculture Matthew Lohr said. “Besides adding prestigious and lucrative races for horsemen, more race days drive significant economic impact throughout Virginia’s entire agricultural sector leading to a healthy breeding industry, stronger equine infrastructure, and more employment opportunities across the Commonwealth.”

“Today’s announcement is not only exciting for tourism in our district,” said delegate Amanda Batten, “but also demonstrates a commitment to horse racing that will ensure Colonial Downs is a premier destination for generations to come.”

Dates for the Colonial Downs spring meet are contingent on approval of the Virginia Racing Commission.