Colonial Downs in New Kent sees historic, record-setting race season in 2025

NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Colonial Downs in New Kent County wrapped up a historic and record-setting 2025 race season on Saturday.

The 2025 race season at Colonial Downs came to an end on Saturday, Sept. 13, setting new record highs for race days, number of races, guests in attendance, horses in competition, as well as handle and purse money.

According to a spokesperson for Colonial Downs, the 2025 race season saw $27.4 million in purse money and $101,032,299 in wagering handle, including a one-day record of about $10.5 million for the Festival of Racing.

The season had 44 race days with 397 total races, and saw more than 70,000 guests in attendance. The racing season also saw 3,146 horses in completion.

According to the spokesperson, one of the highlights from the season was the sold-out Virginia Derby, which served as a Kentucky Derby qualifier for the first time ever. More than 8,000 guests reportedly came to this event to cheer on the winning horse, American Promise, who went on to run in the 151st Kentucky Derby.

Another highlight of the season included the Old Dominion Derby and Festival of Racing, which reportedly set a new record for largest wagering handle in Virginia history and featured the track's first Kentucky Derby winner in 2024, Mystik Dan.

The season also offered entertainment such as camel, ostrich, and zebra races, wiener dog races, as well as a live performance by American Idol star and New Kent native Grayson Torrence.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin recently announced that the 2026 Virginia Derby will again serve as a Kentucky Derby qualifier on March 14, 2026, subject to approval by the Virginia Racing Commission.

Tickets for the 2026 Virginia Derby will go on sale on Colonial Downs' website in the coming weeks.