Virginia Thoroughbred Association

Thanks to everyone who came out and braved the heat today at the Virginia Breeders Fund Yearling Futurity at the Warrenton Horse Show Association Horse Show Grounds! A total of 28 horses competed in Virginia-Bred/Sired and Virginia-Certified categories and most had an owner or breeder present --- including four new ones who participated for the first time. And a big thank you to the Warrenton Horse Show staff who helped everything run smoothly and also kept everyone hydrated.

Attention horsemen -- due to the predicted heat index this Wednesday September 2nd, the start time for the Virginia Breeders Fund Yearling Futurity has been moved up to 10:30 AM --- from its original 12 Noon start time. Everyone is requested to arrive by 10 AM to ensure a prompt start at 10:30 AM. We look forward to another successful event on Wednesday!

Congratulations to Virginia-certified 3-year-old gelding Master Schemer who captured today’s $25,000 fourth race at Colonial Downs! The son of Blofeld won his second straight race in New Kent this summer —- and both featured Horacio Karamanos in the irons. Colonial’s all time leading rider picked up Virginia win number 565 with Master Schemer’s score today. The winner is trained by Somraj Singh, owned by Two Rivers Racing Stable & Balram Ramasami, and spent his 6-month Commonwealth Residency at Jean Rofe Racing (Coady Media photo).

Congratulations to Rosie's Gaming and Colonial Downs trainer Mike Trombetta whose stable caught fire the past two days at the New Kent track winning four of six races! Trombetta and assistant Tana Aubrey reached the winners circle in Thursday’s nightcap then three times in Friday’s first five races --- including this win by Tanterra Sables' And Sum. The 4-year-old Great Notion gelding is Virginia-certified and spent his 6-month residency at Pat Nuesch's Braeburn Training Center. Colonial's all-time leading rider Horacio Karamanos was up top. Other Trombetta Stables LLC winners included Queen of Wanda, Beyond Question and Freedom Hall. Colonial is back in action Saturday at 12:30 PM. (Coady Media action photo)

Mark your calendars -- the $40,000 Virginia Breeders Fund Yearling Futurity is coming up on Wednesday September 2 (12 Noon) at the Warrenton Horse Show Grounds and entries are due this Wednesday, August 24! Brian Graves, General Manager of historic Gainesway Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, will serve as this year's Futurity judge. Visit vabred.org for more details and entry information.

Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends of prominent Virginia breeder Ann Mudge Backer (Smitten Farm) who passed away recently at the age of 93.

Prominent Virginia Breeder Backer Dies at 93 Ann Mudge Backer, a prominent Virginia owner and breeder who operated Smitten Farm, died peacefully at her home Aug. 15. She was 93.