The Virginia Derby is an American ungraded Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds over a distance of one and one-eighth miles on the dirt held annually in March at Colonial Downs in New Kent County, Virginia. The event currently carries a purse of $500,000.
History
The inaugural running of the event took place on March 15, 2025, as a Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race and was won American Promise who was trained by the US Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas and ridden by jockey Nik Juarez by lengths in a track record time of 1:46.41.
In 2024, Churchill Downs Inc., owners of Colonial Downs announced that the turf event known as the Virginia Derby that was held late in the summer would be moved to the early spring and would transition to the dirt track. The event would be part of a new four-day spring meet at Colonial Downs.
Winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefVirginia Derby2026IncrediboltJaime TorresRiley MottPin Oak Stud miles1:47.76$506,0002025American PromiseNik JuarezD. Wayne LukasBC Stables miles1:46.41$529,900
See also Road to the Kentucky Derby
References