Virginia Equine Alliance Opens $2 Million Multiuse Barn at Shenandoah Downs

A decade after introducing pari-mutuel harness racing to Shenandoah County, the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) marked another major milestone on Friday with the grand opening of a new $2 million multi-use barn at Shenandoah Downs.

Located on the grounds of the historic Shenandoah County Fairgrounds, the new 165-stall facility will serve both the racing community and broader agricultural events throughout the year. More than 100 guests gathered to celebrate the ribbon-cutting, including 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.

The barn, which will house racehorses during the spring and fall meets and livestock during the county fair and other community events, reflects both tradition and forward momentum for the region.

Harness racing has been a part of Shenandoah County’s culture for more than 100 years, with events taking place annually during the 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, investing $800,000 to upgrade the fairground’s half-mile oval to meet United States Trotting Association (USTA) standards. That investment laid the groundwork for the creation of Shenandoah Downs and launched a new chapter in Virginia racing.

Since then, racing at Shenandoah Downs has grown steadily, expanding from an initial five-week fall schedule to a combined 14 weeks of racing each year. The 2025 season marks the tenth anniversary of that first pari-mutuel race meet and continues a legacy that stretches back over a century.

The new barn adds to that legacy. In addition to serving as a stabling facility for the hundreds of horses that compete and train at Shenandoah Downs, the barn enhances safety, expands capacity, and provides modern amenities for horsemen and their animals.

Construction began in the winter of 2024 and was funded entirely by the VEA. Supporters note that the barn is also a direct example of how revenue from Virginia’s Historical Horse Racing (HHR) legislation is being reinvested in the state’s equine infrastructure.

The new facility will also play an important role during the Shenandoah County Fair, when it will be used to house livestock and support agricultural programming. Its flexible design makes it a year-round asset to the community.

The fall meet at Shenandoah Downs kicks off Saturday, Sept. 13, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 26, with races held every Saturday and Sunday at 1:05 p.m. Full meet details can be found at shenandoahdowns.com.

As Shenandoah Downs continues to build its reputation as a regional destination for harness racing, the addition of the new multiuse barn underscores a long-standing commitment to both the sport and the rural traditions that shape Virginia’s horse country.