Virginia Thoroughbred Association

09/03/2026

Thanks to everyone who came out and braved the heat today at the Virginia Breeders Fund Yearling Futurity at the Warrenton Horse Show Association Horse Show Grounds! A total of 28 horses competed in Virginia-Bred/Sired and Virginia-Certified categories and most had an owner or breeder present --- including four new ones who participated for the first time. And a big thank you to the Warrenton Horse Show staff who helped everything run smoothly and also kept everyone hydrated.

08/31/2026

Attention horsemen -- due to the predicted heat index this Wednesday September 2nd, the start time for the Virginia Breeders Fund Yearling Futurity has been moved up to 10:30 AM --- from its original 12 Noon start time. Everyone is requested to arrive by 10 AM to ensure a prompt start at 10:30 AM. We look forward to another successful event on Wednesday!

08/29/2026

-bred Hark Theangelssing wins the photo in the Camptown Handicap at Colonial Downs Racetrack for Estate of Larry Johnson and Mike Trombetta. Bred in Virginia by R. Larry Johnson.

08/29/2026

A mad dash to the finish in the Jamestown Stakes with Moneta Agenda getting his head down for Jose Corrales and Barak Farm at Colonial Downs Racetrack

08/29/2026

Congratulations to Virginia-certified 3-year-old gelding Master Schemer who captured today’s $25,000 fourth race at Colonial Downs! The son of Blofeld won his second straight race in New Kent this summer —- and both featured Horacio Karamanos in the irons. Colonial’s all time leading rider picked up Virginia win number 565 with Master Schemer’s score today. The winner is trained by Somraj Singh, owned by Two Rivers Racing Stable & Balram Ramasami, and spent his 6-month Commonwealth Residency at Jean Rofe Racing (Coady Media photo).

08/29/2026

-bred Royal Companion found daylight and sprinted through to win the Dolley Madison Stakes at Colonial Downs Racetrack for owner/breeder Little River Run Racing.

08/28/2026

Congratulations to Rosie's Gaming and Colonial Downs trainer Mike Trombetta whose stable caught fire the past two days at the New Kent track winning four of six races! Trombetta and assistant Tana Aubrey reached the winners circle in Thursday’s nightcap then three times in Friday’s first five races --- including this win by Tanterra Sables' And Sum. The 4-year-old Great Notion gelding is Virginia-certified and spent his 6-month residency at Pat Nuesch's Braeburn Training Center. Colonial's all-time leading rider Horacio Karamanos was up top. Other Trombetta Stables LLC winners included Queen of Wanda, Beyond Question and Freedom Hall. Colonial is back in action Saturday at 12:30 PM. (Coady Media action photo)

08/27/2026

new racing week quicks off today in New Kent, so let’s take a look back at some of our -Bred and Virginia-certified winners at Colonial Downs from last week:

🥇For The Money (VA Bred / Awestrike & GLAM Racing)
🥇Emerald Spun (VA Bred / Ann Mudge Backer & Smitten Farm)
🥇Montour (VA Bred / Morgan’s Ford Farm & Sally Thomas)
🥇Themis (VA Bred / Ann Mudge Backer & Smitten Farm)
🥇Masakado (VA Certified / Gracie Bloodstock)
🥇Aperitif (VA Certified / Jeff Murphy Training Stable)
🥇Millford Lass (VA Certified / Eagle Point Farm)

08/24/2026

Mark your calendars -- the $40,000 Virginia Breeders Fund Yearling Futurity is coming up on Wednesday September 2 (12 Noon) at the Warrenton Horse Show Grounds and entries are due this Wednesday, August 24! Brian Graves, General Manager of historic Gainesway Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, will serve as this year's Futurity judge. Visit vabred.org for more details and entry information.

08/24/2026

Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends of prominent Virginia breeder Ann Mudge Backer (Smitten Farm) who passed away recently at the age of 93.

Ann Mudge Backer, a prominent Virginia owner and breeder who operated Smitten Farm, died peacefully at her home Aug. 15. She was 93.