Colonial Down
Colonial Downs is Virginia's premier thoroughbred horse racing venue in New Kent, operating live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, historical horse racing gaming, and on-site dining and events as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersBlack Hawk, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Colonial Down does
Colonial Downs is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in New Kent, Virginia, that operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) following its late-2022 acquisition. The business is built around a physical racetrack and an integrated wagering and entertainment complex offering live racing, simulcast wagering, pari-mutuel betting on both live and off-track races, and historical horse racing (HHR) electronic gaming devices operated through the Rosie's Gaming Emporium brand. The 2026 season is scheduled to run a record 48 days of live racing, anchored by the Virginia Derby — a Kentucky Derby qualifying race — and is supported by a statewide off-track betting network via VA-Horseplay OTB locations. Distribution runs through Ticketmaster as the primary ticketing channel, on-site box office, and OTB/simulcast venues, with marketing conducted via Facebook, LinkedIn, email, and parent-company press.
The company monetizes across five primary revenue streams: live racing and event ticket sales (including free general admission plus tiered premium seating and private suites), pari-mutuel wagering commissions on live and simulcast pools, HHR electronic gaming utilization, on-site food and beverage across three venues (1609 Restaurant, The Playbook Sports Bar + Grill, Rosie's Kitchen), and sponsorship and corporate event rentals. Pricing is bifurcated: general admission is free on most race days to maximize footfall, while premium seating and VIP experiences are quoted on a multi-year or contract basis. Customer segments are heavily B2C, comprising racing enthusiasts, families, and general entertainment seekers, supplemented by corporate group business for event rentals and sponsorships. Brand loyalty is anchored through the FastTrack Rewards program, which spans Rosie's Gaming properties and provides a cross-property member data and retention layer. The venue is positioned as Virginia's premier thoroughbred racing destination within the CDI regional racing portfolio, with material post-acquisition capital investment supporting the rebranding and facility elevation completed in early 2026.
Colonial Down firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Colonial Down
- Legal name
- Colonial Downs
- Website
- https://colonialdowns.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Colonial Downs is Virginia's premier thoroughbred horse racing venue in New Kent, operating live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, historical horse racing gaming, and on-site dining and events as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Colonial Down industry classification
Industry- NAICS
- Racetracks (711212), Gambling Industries (7132)
- SIC
- Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Racetrack & Race Meeting Operations (MPAEADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Training, Stables & Equine Services (MPAEADAI)
Keywords
Where Colonial Down is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Black Hawk
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Colonial Down business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Live Racing & Event Tickets: Revenue from ticket sales for live racing events including General Admission (free), VIP experiences, suite/skybox rentals, and reserved seating.
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: Commission from pari-mutuel betting on live and simulcast horse racing events.
- Historical Horse Racing (HHR) Gaming: Electronic gaming devices featuring historical horse racing outcomes, part of the Rosie Gaming Emporium brand.
- Food & Beverage: On-site dining at The Playbook Sports Bar + Grill, Rosie's Kitchen, and 1609 restaurant.
- Sponsorship & Corporate Events: Brand partnerships and corporate event bookings for the racetrack venue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | General Admission - Free apron access with trackside and paddock-side viewing |
| Other | Multi-year contract | VIP Experience and Premium Seating Options |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Colonial Down product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Colonial Downs operates a thoroughbred horse racing venue in New Kent, Virginia, offering live racing, pari-mutuel wagering on live and simulcast races, historical horse racing (HHR) electronic gaming, and on-site dining and entertainment. The venue features tiered seating from general admission to VIP suites and runs a 2026 record 48-day summer meet anchored by signature events such as the Virginia Derby. It also captures wagering revenue through VA-Horseplay off-track betting locations and Rosie's Gaming Emporium partner sites across Virginia.
Product overview
Colonial Downs operates as a premier thoroughbred racing venue in New Kent, Virginia, offering a comprehensive entertainment experience. The core offering is live horse racing with pari-mutuel wagering on live races, simulcast races from other tracks, and historical horse racing (HHR) electronic gaming devices. The venue provides off-track betting through VA-Horseplay OTB locations. Additional revenue streams include multiple dining venues (1609 Restaurant, The Playbook Sports Bar + Grill, Rosie's Kitchen), tiered seating options (Suite/Skybox, 1609 Turf Club, Jockey Club, Grandstand Boxes, Grandstand Reserved, General Admission), and special events (Festival of Racing, Virginia Derby, Wiener Dog Racing, Old Dominion Derby Day). A loyalty program called FastTrack Rewards provides member rewards across Rosie's Gaming properties. The 2026 season features a record 48 days of live racing, and the venue recently underwent rebranding with a new logo and digital presence following Churchill Downs Incorporated's acquisition in late 2022.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Companies that use Colonial Down
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Colonial Down technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Colonial Down partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Colonial Down competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Keeneland: Kentucky thoroughbred racecourse and sales company, also owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated. Sister property within CDI's racing portfolio with overlapping wagering, simulcast, and event-driven operations.
- Gulfstream Park: Florida thoroughbred and harness racetrack with year-round racing, casino, simulcast, and dining. Comparable large-scale regional track combining racing, gaming, and hospitality.
- Tampa Bay Downs: Florida thoroughbred racetrack operating a seasonal live meet, simulcast wagering, and on-site dining. Comparable seasonal regional track with similar live-racing and hospitality focus.
- Delaware Park: Delaware thoroughbred racetrack with on-site slots and sports wagering, simulcast wagering, and dining venues. Comparable mid-sized regional track pairing live racing with adjacent gaming amenities.
- Pimlico Race Course: Historic Maryland thoroughbred racetrack operating live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, and on-site hospitality. Directly comparable Mid-Atlantic thoroughbred venue with similar wagering and event-driven business model.
- Charles Town Races: West Virginia-based racetrack and slots facility offering live horse racing, historical racing machines, and pari-mutuel wagering. Highly comparable business mix combining thoroughbred racing with electronic gaming devices.
- Laurel Park: Maryland thoroughbred racetrack offering live racing, simulcast wagering, and food and beverage venues. Closest geographic and structural peer to Colonial Downs in the Mid-Atlantic regional circuit.
- Parx Racing: Pennsylvania thoroughbred racetrack and casino complex offering live racing, simulcast wagering, and extensive gaming and F&B. Comparable mid-Atlantic track with combined racing and gaming revenue model.
- Saratoga Race Course: Premier New York thoroughbred racetrack operated by NYRA with a seasonal summer meet and major stakes events. Comparable premium-event-driven thoroughbred track with strong brand and hospitality focus.
- Monmouth Park: New Jersey thoroughbred racetrack offering live racing, sports wagering, and simulcast. Comparable East Coast regional track with diversified wagering and event revenue.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Colonial Down social profiles
Digital presenceColonial Down financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Colonial Down leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Colonial Down funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Colonial Down M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Colonial Down
What does Colonial Down do?
Colonial Downs operates a thoroughbred horse racing venue in New Kent, Virginia, offering live racing, pari-mutuel wagering on live and simulcast races, historical horse racing (HHR) electronic gaming, and on-site dining and entertainment. The venue features tiered seating from general admission to VIP suites and runs a 2026 record 48-day summer meet anchored by signature events such as the Virginia Derby. It also captures wagering revenue through VA-Horseplay off-track betting locations and Rosie's Gaming Emporium partner sites across Virginia.
Is Colonial Down a public or private company?
Colonial Down is a private company. It is currently operating.
When was Colonial Down founded?
Colonial Down was founded in 1997. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Colonial Down based?
Colonial Down is headquartered in Black Hawk, United States, in the North America region.
How does Colonial Down make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Live Racing & Event Tickets are the primary driver. The others are pari-Mutuel Wagering, historical Horse Racing (HHR) Gaming, food & Beverage and sponsorship & Corporate Events.
Who are Colonial Down's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Keeneland, Gulfstream Park, Tampa Bay Downs, Delaware Park, Pimlico Race Course, Charles Town Races, Laurel Park, Parx Racing, Saratoga Race Course and Monmouth Park.
Does Colonial Down have an API?
No public API is recorded for Colonial Down.
What industry is Colonial Down in?
Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAEADAA, Racetrack & Race Meeting Operations, with a secondary code of MPAEADAI, Training, Stables & Equine Services. Its NAICS code is 711212 and its SIC code is 7948.