Colonial Downs revival brings in record numbers during thoroughbred season

By Community Member | September 10, 2019 12:35 pm

Colonial Downs Group, a division of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, has announced record crowd numbers, purses, and wagers during the 15-day thoroughbred racing season.

More than 36,000 people attended racing events at the track in New Kent County, with an additional 6,000 attending a band concert. Wagers on races totaled $17.5 million (an increase of 18 percent from 2013), with purses totaling $7.4 million (an increase of 55 percent from 2013). Daily purses averaged $492,000.

Approximately 144 thoroughbred races ran with 1,229 horses participating with a total of 87 jockeys riding aboard.

In conjunction with Rosie’s Historic Horse Racing operations, Colonial Downs has paid over $3.5 million in taxes to the Commonwealth of Virginia that includes $2 million to Virginia localities.