NEW KENT COUNTY, VA — Virginia's biggest thoroughbred race will once again offer horses a chance to compete in the Kentucky Derby.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced Thursday that the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent County will remain an official qualifying race for the 2027 Kentucky Derby.
The Virginia Derby is scheduled for March 13, 2027, and its winner will earn 50 qualifying points toward a spot in the 153rd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
The race will headline three days of live racing at Colonial Downs from March 11-13.
"Virginia has a proud and growing tradition in horse racing, and the Virginia Derby has earned its place as an essential stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby," Spanberger said in a statement.
The announcement follows a record-setting 2026 season at Colonial Downs, which hosted 48 days of live racing and 428 races featuring 3,350 horses.
The track reported $29 million in total purse money and $122 million in total wagering. Nearly 10,000 spectators attended Virginia Derby Day, according to the governor's office.
The Virginia Derby's growing national profile was highlighted by Ocelli, a previous qualifier who finished third in the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
The racing industry also supports Virginia's agricultural economy through horse breeding, training and related businesses, state officials said.
Tickets for the 2027 Virginia Derby will go on sale Tuesday, Nov. 10, at noon. Additional information about the racing schedule and tickets will be available at Colonial Downs.
The full announcement is available on the governor's website.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Across Virginia Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.