News

Confidence Soars In Mid-Atlantic Racing As Virginia Derby Highlights A New Stop On The ‘Road To The Kentucky Derby’

*Originally posted on 2/6/2025 on thoroughbreddailynews.com, written by Stefanie Grimm* If the countdown on their website is any indication, Colonial Downs can’t wait to put on a show come Virginia Derby weekend during an inaugural three-day Spring meet held March 13-15. The New Kent, VA-based track, though known primarily for it’s famous Secretariat Turf Course, […]

Virginia Thoroughbred Owner, Breeder Larry Johnson es Away

R. Larry Johnson, who put his stamp on the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred industry on racetracks, in breeding sheds, and in boardrooms in Maryland and Virginia, ed away Feb. 4. He was 78. “He was successful in all parts of the horse business — standing stallions, selling yearlings and breeding good, competitive racehorses,” said Cricket Goodall, executive […]

Virginia Gaming Commission proposal worries racing interests

*Originally posted on theracingbiz.com on 1/27/2025, written by Nick Hahn* A bill in Virginia’s General Assembly could create a painful tear in the skin of Virginia racing’s economic model. House Bill 2498, authored by Del. Paul Krizek (D-Alexandria), would shift oversight of historical horse racing (HHR) machines, the primary source of racing purse money, away […]

Champion Forte’s First Foal Arrives at Darby Dan Farm

Gary Holland’s Kamden Favorites bred the dark bay or brown filly. *Written by Eric Mitchell, originally posted on Bloodhorse.com on 1/9/2025* he first reported foal by Spendthrift Farm’s multiple grade 1 winner and 2022 champion juvenile male Forte was born Jan. 8 at Darby Dan Farm near Lexington. Gary Holland’s Kamden Favorites bred the dark bay or […]

Near his Henrico foaling site, Boston gets his due

Henrico Historical Society celebrates recognition for Hall of Fame horse *Written by Patty Kruszewski, originally posted on Henricocitizen.com on 1/9/2025* A state historical marker was dedicated Dec. 1, 2024 in honor of famed 19th century racehorse Boston, at the Historic Tuckahoe Plantation near the horse’s foaling site. (Patty Kruszewski/Henrico Citizen) Kinder historians might call him […]