What is the Virginia Derby?
The Virginia Derby is a prestigious annual horse race held at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Virginia. This race is typically run over a distance of 1 1/8 miles on dirt, and it attracts some of the top 3-year-old horses in the United States.
The race offers significant prize money and is one of the premier events in Virginia's racing calendar, the race also serves as a prep race for the Kentucky Derby.
When does the Virginia Derby take place in 2026?
The 2026 Virginia Derby is scheduled for March 14th.
Virginia Derby Winners
The Virginia Derby has a rich history of standout winners. Kitten’s Joy claimed victory in 2004. English Channel, the 2005 winner, would go on to become a major international star, followed by Gio Ponti, who won in 2008 and established himself as one of the top horses of his era.
Other notable winners include Paddy O'Prado in 2010 and Air Support in 2011, both of which enhanced the prestige of the Virginia Derby within the racing and online horse betting communities.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | American Promise | Nik Juarez | Wayne Lukas | 1:46.41 |
| 2024 | Deterministic | Manuel Franco | Christophe Clement | 1:47.76 |
| 2023 | Integration | Kendrick Carmouche | Claude R. McGaughey III | 1:46.41 |
| 2022 | Slow Down Andy | Mario Gutierrez | Doug O'Neill | 1:50.16 |
| 2021 | Capensis | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | 1:48.15 |
| 2020 | Wootton Asset (FR) | Jose L. Ortiz | H. Graham Motion | 1:46.79 |
While the Virginia Derby has strong ties to Colonial Downs, it hasn’t always been held there. In some years, like 2017, it was contested at Laurel Park and rebranded as the Commonwealth Derby due to operational issues at Colonial Downs. However, the race has returned to its traditional venue, solidifying its place in Virginia’s horse racing culture and as a favorite in online horse betting.
