The Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) celebrated the opening of its new $2 million multiuse barn on Friday, Sept. 5 with a ribbon-cutting at Shenandoah Downs. The 165-stall facility represents the latest chapter in Virginia’s harness racing story, one marked by resilience, investment and community spirit.
More than 100 guests gathered for the celebration, where Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matt Lohr, Sen. Timmy French (R-Woodstock), Shenandoah County Fair President Allen Gochenour, Virginia Harness Horse Association President Scott Woogen, and VEA Executive Director Jeb Hannum spoke about the barn’s lasting impact.
Harness racing has been part of Virginia’s story for more than a century, with races held at the Shenandoah County Fair for 108 consecutive years.
In 2016, the VEA partnered with the Shenandoah County Fair Association to bring pari-mutuel harness racing to Woodstock and invested $800,000 USD to transform the fair’s half-mile oval into a state-of-the-art track that met United States Trotting Association (USTA) standards. The improvements launched a new era at Shenandoah Downs, which has grown from five weeks of fall racing initially to a combined 14 weeks of spring and fall racing annually. This year marks the 10th anniversary of pari-mutuel harness racing in Woodstock, and a continuation of more than a century of tradition in Shenandoah County.
“The VEA’s investment in this new barn highlights the strong growth and momentum of harness racing in Virginia but more importantly, it provides a safe and secure stabling area for horses that are based on the grounds and train daily throughout the meets,” Hannum said.
"This project represents a commitment to the region, the local economy and the future of harness racing in Virginia," added Gochenour. "The new barn is a win-win situation for the VEA and the harness horsemen that compete here, and the Shenandoah County Fair."
"The investment for the new barn at Shenandoah Downs is a clear example of how revenue from the Historical Horse Racing (HHR) bill is being reinvested to strengthen Virginia's harness racing industry," noted Lohr. "These funds are helping us preserve a
rich tradition, support our horsemen and create new opportunities for growth that will carry this sport forward for generations."
Beyond racing, the dual-purpose barn will accommodate livestock during the Shenandoah County Fair and other agricultural-related events year-round. Construction began in the winter of 2024 as part of a $2 million USD investment by the VEA to ensure a safe, modern environment for horses and to expand opportunities for the wider community.
The 2025 fall meet at Shenandoah Downs runs from Sept. 13 – Oct. 26 with racing every Saturday and Sunday at 1:05 p.m. Meet details are available at shenandoahdowns.com.
(Shenandoah Downs)