Churchill Downs Incorporated Donates $10,000 to American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. – Hampton Roads Chapter as Part of 2025 Virginia Derby

~ Hampton Roads chapter of national non-profit provides support for veterans, active duty service members, and families who have lost children in service of our country; Contribution part of $100,000 in charitable contributions to commemorate historic Virginia Derby ~

NEW KENT, Va. (March 11, 2025)—To commemorate the historic 2025 Virginia Derby, and in furtherance of its commitment to community partnership throughout Virginia, Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), owner and operator of Colonial Downs Racetrack, today announced that it has made a $10,000 contribution to American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. – Hampton Roads Chapter to support its mission of support for veterans, active duty service members, and Gold Star families in Hampton Roads.

To further recognize the Chapter and its contributions to the Commonwealth, Race 7 of Virginia Derby Day on March 15, 2025 has been named in the organization’s honor and members will be recognized with a special trackside ceremony.

“The 2025 Virginia Derby is going to be a celebration of the Commonwealth of Virginia, its people, and its communities,” said Aaron Palmer, Director of Virginia Government Relations. “Churchill Downs Incorporated is proud to support the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. – Hampton Roads Chapter and its important work with this contribution, and can’t wait to welcome them to the track for this exciting day of racing and camaraderie.”

“The American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. – Hampton Roads Chapter greatly appreciates this generous support from Churchill Downs Incorporated,” said Angela Bell, President American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. – Hampton Roads Chapter. “This contribution will allow us to serve the needs of more veterans, active duty service members, and Gold Star families across the region. We are grateful for this recognition of our ongoing mission in memory of our children.”

For nearly a century, American Gold Star Mothers has honored the memory of our country’s fallen service members by assisting veterans who served and are wounded or incapacitated as well as those who are currently serving on active duty. The organization was founded by Grace Darling Seibold who volunteered at Washington, DC hospitals to visit returning servicemen while her son, George Vaughn Seibold, served in Europe during World War I. It is powered by a bond of mutual love, sympathy, and support of the loyal, capable, and patriotic mothers who share their grief and their pride, and have channeled their time, efforts and gifts to lessening the pain of others.

As part of the 2025 Virginia Derby, CDI is contributing a total of $100,000 to nonprofit partners around the state. In addition to American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. – Hampton Roads Chapter, charitable contributions are being made to Feeding Southwest Virginia, James River Horse Foundation, and Willing Warriors.

CDI upholds a long tradition of corporate social responsibility with an emphasis on supporting the growth and sustainability of the equine industry and supporting meaningful health and human services. It prioritizes contributions to initiatives that enhance community well-being and shape the unique identity of the communities where it operates. In Virginia, the company has made monetary and in-kind donations totaling $5.4 million to Virginia non-profits through its Rosie’s Gives Backprogram.

The 2025 Virginia Derby will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent, Virginia. For the first time ever, the race will serve as a qualifying race on The Road to the Kentucky Derby with the winning horse securing a spot in the field for the 151^st Kentucky Derby.

For more information about the Hampton Roads chapter of American Gold Star Mothers, please visit https://www.facebook.com/hamptonroadsvagoldstarmoms or email [email protected].

For tickets or more information about the 2025 Virginia Derby, please visit www.colonialdowns.com.