CAMELS, OSTRICHES, AND ZEBRAS TO TAKE THE TRACK ON FIRST FRIDAY AT COLONIAL DOWNS

Central Virginia personalities will race exotic animals on Friday, July 11 between live thoroughbred racing; Kids and guests can meet and pet the animals prior to racing.

NEW KENT, Va. (June 26, 2025)—On Friday, July 11—the first Friday of the 2025 summer meet—Colonial Downs will welcome some very unusual competitors as camels, ostriches, and zebras compete in live races at Virginia’s premier thoroughbred racetrack. Post time for the day’s racing action is 4 p.m. and these special First Friday races will be held throughout a race card of eight thoroughbred races as Colonial Downs celebrates the first weekend of its summer meet.

This is the first of four Premium Racing Days throughout Colonial Downs’ 41-day summer meet. General Admission tickets are required and available for the fan-friendly price of just $5, while general admission for children five and under is free. Colonial Downs also offers box seats, grandstand seats, suites, and seats in the Jockey’s Club and 1609 Restaurant for purchase through www.ColonialDowns.com.

“Since Virginia is becoming a nationally renowned destination for thoroughbred horse racing we’ve decided to broaden our horizons and spread our wings a bit with these special competitors,” said Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing at Colonial Downs. “We are thrilled to welcome fans back for our summer meet beginning July 9 and look forward to welcoming families from across Virginia for this special First Friday race on July 11. Frankly, I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I know you won’t want to miss it.”

Camels will be piloted by special guest riders from across Central Virginia, while zebra and ostrich races will feature Colonial Downs jockeys taking a detour from their usual thoroughbred mounts. Parimutuel wagering will not be available for these exotic animal races, but they should be plenty interesting and entertaining even without betting.

Following an historic three-day spring meet which featured the sold-out 2025 Virginia Derby as the Commonwealth’s first-ever Kentucky Derby qualifier race, Colonial Downs will host an expanded 41-day summer schedule that will feature live racing every Wednesday through Saturday from July 9 through September 13, plus a special Labor Day card on Monday, September 1.

Tickets for all Premium Racing Events are now on sale at www.ColonialDowns.com. These special ticketed race days include:

• Friday, July 11—Opening Friday will feature the return of the fan-favorite camel, ostrich, and zebra races, which will be held between thoroughbred racing.
• Saturday, August 9—The annual Colonial Downs Festival of Racing will feature the season’s biggest races and purses including the Grade 1 Arlington Million, Grade 2 Beverly D., and Grade 2 Secretariat Stakes.
• Saturday, August 23—Weiner Dog Racing returns to Colonial Downs as mighty little athletes race down the track on tiny legs. To register your dog, visit: www.rosiesgaming.com/wiener-dog-racing.
• Saturday, September 6—Old Dominion Day will feature live music from Virginia favorites The Deloreans as well as the Grade 3 $500,000 Old Dominion Derby and the $250,000 Old Dominion Oaks.