WARRENTON, Va., Sept. 11, 2015 –The Virginia Equine Alliance announced today that Virginia Downs racing will make its debut in Northern Virginia on Sunday, Sept. 20 at Great Meadow in The Plains, Va. (5089 Old Tavern Rd., The Plains, Va. 20198) with six flat races and pari-mutuel wagering. Gates open at noon with the first race at 2 p.m. The purpose of the event is to highlight Virginia’s extensive equine breeding and racing industry. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Fauquier SPCA, a non-profit.
“We are excited to be able to showcase Virginia bred horses and bring expanded racing to Great Meadow,” explained Debbie Easter, interim president of the Virginia Equine Alliance. Great Meadow is also the site of the Virginia Gold Cup (spring) and International Gold Cup (fall) which takes place on Saturday, Oct. 24. “The difference is that all of our racing on September 20 will be on the flat—not steeplechase jumping as is showcased in the Gold Cup,” Easter added, “However, tailgating and wagering will remain two key components for our event.”
Activities for the event will be confined to the Members Hill area alongside the stretch and finish line and two different passes are available for purchase. A limited supply of reserved rail side vehicle passes for tailgating while watching the races will be sold on a first-come basis for $100 each (advance sale only) or purchase general admission passes in advance for $30 per car. Both passes allow one car into the venue with up to 6 occupants but only the rail side passes allow attendees to park their vehicle rail side, set up a tailgate and watch the races. General admission tickets may be purchased online at www.FauquierSPCA.com or at Blue Valley Vineyard and Winery, 9402 Justice Lane, Delaplane, Va. 20144; Tri-County Feeds, 7408 John Marshall Hwy., Marshall, Va. 20115; The Tack Box, 7 W. Federal Street, Middleburg, Va. 20117; and in Warrenton at Chestnut Forks Athletic Club, 6379 Airlie Rd.; Piccadilly LTD, 80 Main St.; Piedmont Pets, 123 W. Shirley Ave.; and the Virginia Gold Cup office at 90 Main Street. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate. Those attending with general admission passes are encouraged to bring a blanket and plan to picnic on the hillside overlooking the race course, or purchase food on site. For information on railside tailgate spaces, please contact Mary Tarr at the Fauquier SPCA, 540-788-9000 ext. 202.
The Virginia Equine Alliance, a non-profit organization, has a new vision for racing in Virginia where associated charities are given the opportunity to raise funds through their participation on race days that the VEA has organized. All net revenue of the VEA will be directed back into the industry.
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VEA is comprised of four organizations—the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, the Virginia Thoroughbred Association, the Virginia Gold Cup Association and the Virginia Harness Horsemen’s Association. A four-day harness racing meet will be held on October 10-11 and 17-18 at the Oak Ridge Estate in Arrington, Va. For more information, go to http://www.virginiaequinealliance.com or www.fauquierspca.com.
About the Virginia Equine Alliance
The Virginia Equine Alliance is comprised of four organizations—the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, the Virginia Thoroughbred Association, the Virginia Gold Cup Association and the Virginia Harness Horsemen’s Association. The Alliance is committed to supporting the equine racing industry in Virginia. For more information, go to www.vabred.org.
