The Jack Russell Terrier Races at Montpelier Races are the first event of the day, starting at 10:15am and they draw a great crowd of enthusiastic spectators. We have a loyal “stable” of participants including one dog who raced here for about 13 years, Mr. Niblett. At his passing his owners honored him with a perpetual trophy and the Mr. Niblett Memorial Race for Senior Dogs is always highly contested.

We are very proud of the History surrounding the Montpelier property, all the different stories and timelines that are represented here. The first residents, the Madison Family, built the original home and began farming the land.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s magnificent Triple Crown victory, which was the first after a dry spell of 25 years. The public had begun to wonder if it was still possible. And then Secretariat more than delivered, breaking a track record in each race and winning the Belmont with an astonishing 31 lengths. He was a phenomenon, a wonder horse, and he belongs to Virginia in a unique way.