NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. — More than 8,000 people filled the stands at Colonial Downs for the much-anticipated Virginia Derby on Saturday.
American Promise won the race and secured a spot in the 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 3.
WATCH: American Promise wins sold-out Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs
In addition to the Derby, there was another significant race on Saturday: the Virginia Oaks, where 10 horses competed for a spot in the Kentucky Oaks.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the First Lady presented trophies to the winners of the Virginia Derby and Virginia Oaks events.
Virginia Derby Day's roughly 8,000 tickets officially sold out on Wednesday.
The event included special guests, unique experiences, and entertainment to honor the significant day in Virginia sports.
Esther Hall, a lifelong horse racing enthusiast from Virginia, was thrilled that the Virginia Derby is now a qualifier for the Kentucky Derby.
"I'm just so glad that Churchill created this race as a Derby prep race. It's a brand new, first year it's ever been a prep race," Hall said. "And it's a big prep race, a 50-point winning, you're in prep race. So there are a lot of good horses here, good riders, good trainers. And I think it'll really help the growth of Colonial Downs and hopefully horse racing in Virginia."
FULL INTERVIEW: Jockey Nik Juárez on American Promise’s Virginia Derby win
Hall said her passion for the sport began in her youth and was fueled by her father's promise.
"He put me up on one of the last old draft horses we had down there on the farm when I was three. And, you know, and I got scared, made him take me off," she recalled. "But then when we got home, I said, 'Daddy, I want a horse.' He said, 'Well, you can have one when you're 12.' And he thought I was going to forget, but I didn't. And I've been riding since I was 12."
PHOTOS: Fashion on display at Virginia Derby
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PHOTOS: Fashion on display at Virginia Derby
Hall said horses have "always just been a passion" for the 70-year-old.
"Since I don't work with horses anymore, I was able to come down here to the racetrack," Hall said.
She hopes more people discover the sport.
"Bring your friends and your family here and introduce them to horse racing. These horses you're seeing right now, these are some of the top horses in the country," Hall said. "It's beautiful watching the horses. There's no excitement like it, you know. And then half an hour later, you get to watch another race and go through it all over again."
FULL INTERVIEW: Why horses have 'always been a passion' for Virginia woman
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