CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED DONATES $30,000 TO JAMES RIVER HORSE FOUNDATION AS PART OF 2025 VIRGINIA DERBY DAY
Posted on March 12th, 2025
~ Goochland non-profit provides care for retired thoroughbred racehorses and career training for incarcerated individuals; 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 $30,000 contribution to Goochland-based James River Horse Foundation to support its mission of humane care and sanctuary for retired thoroughbred race horses, as well as job training opportunities for individuals incarcerated at the Virginia State Farm Work Center in Goochland.
To further recognize the James River Horse Foundation and its contributions to the Commonwealth, Race 6 of Virginia Derby Day on March 15, 2025 has been named in the organization’s honor.
“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 James River Horse Foundation 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 James River Horse Foundation is so grateful for this very generous donation from Churchill Downs Incorporated,” said Janis Paiva, president of the James River Horse Foundation. “CDI’s ongoing support and partnership helps us provide sanctuary for our current horses, expand our program to include more horses, and continue our equine educational program for female inmates.”
For nearly twenty years, the James River Horse Foundation has provided humane care, safe sanctuary and, whenever possible, an appropriate second career for thoroughbred horses that are no longer able to race. It has partnered with the Virginia Department of Corrections State Farm Work Center in Goochland to create and operate a curriculum of training and supervision in equine care and management for non-violent incarcerated individuals allowing them to gain skills that can prepare them for careers upon release.
As part of the 2025 Virginia Derby, CDI is contributing a total of $100,000 to nonprofit partners around the state. In addition to James River Horse Foundation, charitable contributions are being made to Feeding Southwest Virginia, Willing Warriors, and the American Gold Star Mothers, Hampton Roads Chapter.
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 Back program.
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 151st Kentucky Derby.
For more information about James River Horse Foundation, please visit www.jamesriverhorses.org.
For tickets or more information about the 2025 Virginia Derby, please visit www.colonialdowns.com.
