Virginia horsemen were told by the Army that the agency’s offer to purchase the Middleburg Training Center has been accepted.
The PFH Conservation Fund and Virginia horseman are deeply concerned about the US Army’s acquisition of the Middleburg Training Center. The track is the most important facility in the state that supports the Virginia-Certified thoroughbred program which provides bonuses to successful owners and breeders of Virginia-Certified horses. According to an economic impact study commissioned by the Virginia Equine Alliance, from 2017–2023, the Virginia-Certified Program attracted 5,031 out-of-state horses, generating $86.2 million in total economic impact and supporting 825 full-time-equivalent jobs statewide. MTC and neighboring Centennial Farms accounted for 16% of participating horses, contributing approximately 805 horses, representing roughly $13.8 million in direct economic impact and 132 jobs.
There are 220 stalls currently dedicated to thoroughbred racehorse training at the MTC, plus an additional 20 stalls at adjacent Centennial Farms that rely on the MTC track for daily training. When the combined 240 stalls are occupied by Thoroughbred racehorses in training, they generate more than $7 million in annual economic benefit to the local community. There is no other public or private facility in the region that possesses the scale, track design, or infrastructure necessary to absorb the displaced horses and horsemen if we lose this resource.
“This is very damaging for the horse racing industry in Virginia and for trainers, workers and businesses that make their living in that industry,” said Virginia horseman Robert Bonnie whose family has been involved in Virginia racing for over 80 years. “Imagine if the federal government came into your town and shut down a critical factory or business and put everyone who works there out of business. That’s exactly what’s happening here.”
“We support the Army in its effort to find a permanent home for their Caisson horses, but why is the Army damaging our industry when there are other facilities that would work better for them? They are buying a racetrack they don’t need, 220 stalls they don’t need and 149 acres they don’t need,” said Sean Clancy, who runs Riverdee Stable, a racing partnership and publishes The Saratoga Special. “This is the most important training facility in Virginia. If it closes, these horses and horsemen are gone, never to be replaced. Its potential loss will devastate the Virginia racing industry and the local community.”
“Virginia horseman tried to buy the facility from the current owner on multiple occasions. Efforts to purchase the track were made far more difficult because the Army was willing to pay an above-market price for the facility which includes barns and a racetrack they don’t need,” said Bonnie.
“We want the Caisson horses in Virginia, but not at the expense of the Middleburg Training Center which has been a central component of Virginia’s equestrian industry since the 1950s,” said PFH Conservation Fund Chair, Dulany Morison. “This is an entirely avoidable tragedy, and the community is anxious for specific answers from the Army about how they intend to deliver on their pledge to ensure that there will still be a place for thoroughbred race training on the property.”
The Army has committed to a public meeting in the next few weeks. Virginia horsemen look forward to engaging with them.