What is the Virginia Derby?
The Virginia Derby is a prestigious annual horse race held at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Virginia. This Grade III race is typically run over a distance of 1⅛ miles on turf, and it attracts some of the top 3-year-old turf horses in the United States.
The race offers significant prize money and is one of the premier events in Virginia's racing calendar, making it highly relevant for online horse betting enthusiasts.
When does the Virginia Derby take place?
The Virginia Derby is scheduled for March 15. This early-season race is a significant fixture on the racing calendar and a highlight for online horse betting, as bettors will have the opportunity to wager on a highly competitive field of 3-year-old turf horses.
Virginia Derby Winners
The Virginia Derby has a rich history of standout winners. Kitten’s Joy claimed victory in 2004, with Edgar S. Prado as the jockey and Dale Romans as the trainer, a pair that has left a lasting legacy in horse racing. English Channel, the 2005 winner, would go on to become a major international turf star, followed by Gio Ponti, who won in 2008 and established himself as one of the top turf 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 | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2024 | Deterministic | Manuel Franco | Christophe Clement | St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven C. Duncker & Vicarage Stable | 1:47.76 |
| 2023 | Integration | Kendrick Carmouche | Claude R. McGaughey III | West Point Thoroughbreds & Woodford Racing | 1:46.41 |
| 2022 | Slow Down Andy | Mario Gutierrez | Doug O'Neill | Reddam Racing | 1:50.16 |
| 2021 | Capensis | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Robert V. LaPenta, Gainesway Stable, Winchell Thoroughbreds & Stonestreet Stables | 1:48.15 |
| 2020 | Wootton Asset (FR) | Jose L. Ortiz | H. Graham Motion | Madaket Stables | 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.
