The history, the pageantry, the spectacle — thoroughbred horse racing celebrates an enduring allure all its own. In Virginia, a visit to Colonial Downs is the best bet for fans who want to appreciate the full equestrian experience in all its glory.
“The appeal of racing, especially at Colonial Downs, is the chance to get up close to the action and be a part of the race day activities,” said Bella Hodge, the venue’s racing marketing manager. “It’s a thrill to stand right on the rail and watch the horses run by, and the chance to meet jockeys and trainers as they walk around the general areas is awesome.”
The $500,000 marquee event of Colonial Downs’ annual three-day spring meet, Virginia Derby Day on March 14, promises a full morning, afternoon and evening of thoroughbred racing excitement complemented by music, live entertainment and wagering opportunities. Although the race itself has existed in different formats for several decades, 2026 marks just the second official running at Colonial Downs.
“There’s a sense of pride for us in that this is the second year the race has been an official Kentucky Derby points-qualifying event,” Hodge said. “Last year, two horses that ran in the Virginia Derby also went on to compete in the Kentucky Derby (Virginia Derby winner American Promise and runner-up Render Judgment).”
As Virginia’s premier racing destination, Colonial Downs boasts two very different state-of-the-art track surfaces. The Secretariat Turf Course is the widest grass racing surface in the U.S. The facility is also home to the country’s second-largest dirt oval for horse racing, bested only by Belmont Park in New York. Located in New Kent about 30 miles east of Richmond, Colonial Downs originally opened on Labor Day in 1997, relaunching under new ownership in 2019 after a five-year lapse in operation.
Hodge expects the facility to welcome a capacity crowd of around 10,000 attendees for the 2026 Virginia Derby Day. All of the reserved seating is already sold out, but there are still plenty of general admission tickets available.
“We’ll have a lot of fan activations going on throughout race day including merchandise for sale at different vendors, a fashion contest and a band performance,” she said. “There will be 10 races altogether, with one happening about every 30 minutes.”
Can’t make it out to the track for Derby Day? No worries. Colonial Downs is also set to host 44 days of racing in total across its 2026 summer season running between June 25 and Sept. 7. Besides the horses, visitors might just get to see other animals take to the track now and then as well.
“Our annual wiener dog races are always a big hit, and this year, we’ll also be doing a day of Corgi racing,” Hodge said. “Sundays are going to be family-fun days, which is a new offering for us this year, with pony rides, face painting and other kid-friendly activities.”
Gates for the 2026 Virginia Derby will open at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, with first post at noon. General admission tickets are $5 at ticketmaster.com; parking is free. For more information, go to rosiesgaming.com
