A spectacular day of Quarter Horse racing kicked off on Wednesday, May 15 with SUMMER RETREAT becoming the first Thoroughbred to win at Ajax Downs as the Fort Erie-based gelding won the popular Battle of the Breeds race.
Alysha Robillard’s Summer Retreat broke sharply from the gate at the outset of the 770-yard Battle of the Breeds, turned away a strong challenge from Quarter Horse mare Jess a Deal, and romped to a five-length win under jockey Ismael Mosquiera. Trained by Fort Erie racetrack’s leading trainer Julie Mathes, Summer Retreat entered the history books by becoming the first Thoroughbred to win this unique one-turn race.
Bred in Ontario by Joey Gee Thoroughbreds, the eight-year-old Summer Retreat was making his first start since September of 2023 and his Ajax Downs victory was the 12th of his career. The handsome dark bay raced the distance in 41.444, a track record. Jess a Deal finished second for Marie Broadstock and the Picov Cattle Company with Tdz Barton Grand, a Quarter Horse, getting third over another Thoroughbred, Seattle Point. Azures Royalty, who won the first Battle of the Breeds, was scratched.
The mother-and-daughter team of Mathes and Robillard brought Summer Retreat to Ajax Downs following plenty of fast workout times at their home track.
“I couldn’t believe he outbroke the Quarter Horses from the gate,” said Mathes. “Then when I saw his ears pricked forward I was pretty confident.”
It was a poignant moment for Robillard, who has developed a strong bond with Summer Retreat over the past three years. When he was claimed by another owner from a race late in 2021, she raised the money to claim the horse back late in 2022.
“He’s always been special to me,” said Robillard who recently graduated from Georgian College as an assistant veterinarian. “For him to come here, to a different track, and make history is really special.”
Watch the video of the race here:
~ with files from Ajax Downs
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