
In 1947, Donna's father, T. Edward Gilman (Ed), a local realtor,
was given the listing for Eagle Point Farm, which had been in his
family from 1840 to 1938. The property included a two-story frame
farmhouse with an English basement, and old cedar tree in the barnyard,
an old wooden barn, and two open fields in front of the house. The
rest of the farm was covered with trees. According to Frankie Gilman
Griffith, Donna's mother, Ed wrote such a fine advertisement for Eagle
Point Farm, that he sold himself on the idea of owning the farm! Her
parents purchased the farm for $15,000 in 1947. Over the years, whenever
the horses ran well, the Gilmans made improvements to the farm and
cleared the land. Not only has it proven to be a great financial investment,
but also a great place for Donna to be raised and for Donna and Steve
to raise their children.
Donna Gilman Dennehy has been actively involved in the
daily operations of Eagle Point Farm since 1969. She is prisident
of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association and director of the Virginia
Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. In addition to being
a TOBA member and NTRA member, she serves on the Farm Bureau Equine
Advisory Board, Hanover County Farm Bureau Board, Virginia Horse Industry
Board, and the Camptown Charities Board. Donna was co-chairman of
the Architectural Review Committee that helped design the track and
barns at Colonial Downs.
Donna attended the College of William and Mary and recieved her Bachelors
Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1973. She is married
to Stephen B. Dennehy and has two grown children, Michael and Karen.
Karen Gray Dennehy graduated with honors from Sweet Briar College
in May of 2005 with a Business Management degree and a certificate
in Equine Studies. She is an accomplished equestrian, being overall
individual champion at the 2004 Affiliated National Riding Commission,
6th in the same competition in 2005, and 3rd overall at the 2005 Intercollegiate
Horse Show Association National Championships in Ohio. Karen has since
returned to her roots at Eagle Point Farm to help manage and train
racehorses. She acquired her Trainer's license in the summer of 2005
and trained the co-leading horse in number of wins at the 2005 Colonial
Downs meet, Toccoa, a Purple Comet filly who is bred and owned by
Eagle Point Farm. She has also become a member of the Virginia Thoroughbred
Association. Karen brings a new perspective to the farm and has added
many improvements to the facility and operation.
Together, Donna and Karen work to carry on as the second and third
generation to turn out fit, sound, and confident racehorses from Eagle
Point Farm.