|
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that the 2026 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs Racetrack will once again serve as an official qualifier on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the premier series of races that determines entries for the world’s most famous horse race. The 2026 Virginia Derby will take place at Colonial Downs in New Kent County on Saturday, March 14, 2026, and will award 50 qualifying points to its winner, virtually guaranteeing a spot in the starting gate for the 152nd Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2026, at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
“Virginia has a proud and growing tradition in horse racing, and the Virginia Derby is quickly becoming one of the premier races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “To see our Commonwealth once again on the national stage, with the chance for a Virginia champion to compete in the Run for the Roses at the 152nd Kentucky Derby is an incredible honor and a testament to the investment, energy, and passion driving Virginia’s equine industry forward.”
Since acquiring Colonial Downs in late 2022, Churchill Downs Incorporated has invested millions to expand and upgrade the facility, increase the number of race days, and elevate Virginia’s role in the national racing circuit. The company brought three graded stakes races—the most lucrative and high-profile races in the sport—to Virginia from out of state, including the Arlington Million, Beverly D, and Secretariat Stakes which headline the track’s annual Festival of Racing. The 2025 season featured 44 live race days and nearly $700,000 in average daily purses, attracting legendary trainers, world-class jockeys, and fans from across the country.
“The growth and excitement around Virginia racing have been a real bright spot for the entire sport,” said Gary Palmisano, Vice President of Racing at Churchill Downs Incorporated. “When we saw the enthusiasm and energy for the 2025 Virginia Derby, with a sold-out crowd of thousands packing Colonial Downs, we knew that Virginia had earned another opportunity to step into the global spotlight with a ‘win and you’re in’ race. With a record number of race days, steady growth, and an unbeatable fan experience, the future has never been brighter for Colonial Downs and the entire equine industry throughout Virginia.”
This marks the second consecutive year that the Virginia Derby has been part of the Kentucky Derby qualifying series, following a record-setting, sold-out 2025 race that drew more than 8,000 fans to Colonial Downs. Last year’s Virginia Derby winner, American Promise, went on to compete in the Kentucky Derby, alongside runner-up Render Judgment.
Tickets for the 2026 Virginia Derby will go on sale in the coming weeks at www.ColonialDowns.com, and fans are encouraged to purchase early due to anticipated high demand.
|
