QUARTER HORSE RACING GOES MAINSTREAM in ’17

Photos for our Jan. 1 feature courtesy of Laurie Overton, a wonderful ambassador of the sport who has been very generous with her photos!

 

 

 

 

 

 

AJAX DOWNS IN ’18 – 49th year ready to go in May!

Quarter Horse Racing shows up in Toronto papers, on Radio

Fresh off an outstanding late season of remarkable performaces on track and by the locals at other tracks, the Quarter Horse community of Ontario is looking forward
to an exciting 2018.

The 30-day Ajax meeting finished strongly with its on-track wagering and field size grew in the latter half of the meeting. With horse population plaguing racetracks
from Canada through the U.S., Ajax Downs’ horsepeople continue to do their part buy breeding, buying and racing in Ontario and Ajax in the last 2 seasons have shown growth.

Certainly the news of the merging of Ontario Racing and the Standardbred Alliance, which puts all Ontario tracks and the three breeds of racehorses under one umbrella
can be good news for Quarter Horse racing when funding for the three breeds is announced in the New Year.

Quarter Horse racing found its way into the major Toronto newspapers in 2017 – sharing space with Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming in the Toronto Sun:
http://torontosun.com/2017/05/11/always-dreaming-prepping-well-for-triple-crown-pursuit/wcm/b2a99337-b14e-44c0-8b5a-f394bc968958

and then getting its very own feature in the Toronto Star when Country Boy 123 was profiled:

https://www.thestar.com/sports/2017/09/02/canadas-fastest-racehorse-comes-out-of-the-woods.html

The presence of Ajax Downs race reports and features was also evident on CKDO – Durham’s Classic Hits Radio Station – most Monday mornings on 1580 AM thanks to
sportscaster Rob Snoek and host Terry Johnston. If you are not in the Durham area but want to listen to the station, you can at www.ckdo.ca.

Getting the sport’s personalities, equine and human, out to the mainstream is key for Quarter Horse racing to grow. Ajax Downs has done a super job at this in recent
years and with everyone in the industry working together, the future is bright.

A pristine facility, Ajax will be looking to add ‘hook’ races in 2018 (races around a turn) and that should lead to an increase in horse population as there are plenty
of Quarter Horses who would enjoy distances slightly longer than the 400 and 440 yard events currently offered.

 

 

 

 

Small stables and the larger ones had equal success in 2017. The track’s perennial leading owner and trainer was once again the wife – husband team of Christine and
Joe Tavares, who have been racing Quarter Horses in Ontario since the sport’s beginning in the province.

Milena Kwiecien of Burlington, ON has been growing her stable for 2 years and is a force in the business for years to come. There was also the growing stables of
Carol and Dave McIntyre (Big Dog) and James Bogar that are ones to watch.

Richard Wincikaby and DK Training Centre of Don Reid and Kim Ito continue to develop some of the best racehorses in the land and owners Rick Crispi, Bob and Marie
Broadstock, Chantelle Bourgeois, Heste Sport, Bryn and Carol Robertson, John Wilson, Gary McNichol, Goerge Coleman and of course, the Picov Cattle Company are big
players and passionate and dedicated.

Ajax Downs also  produced an historical look at QUARTER HORSE RACING in Canada, with assistance from the Alberta Quarter Horse Racing Association and plenty of owners and trainers across Canada.

BRYN ROBERTSON had a small stable indeed but his win percentage of 50 was among the highest of any trainer in North America – 19 wins from 38 starts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The FIRST LINE SYNDICATE completed its first syndicate in 2017 with the 3-year-old filly C R Party With Corona, a 3-time winner, going out as a success story for the
group put together by Bob Broadstock and the QROOI.
The filly is set to be sold next month in Oklahoma and a new acquisition (or two) will join the First Line team.
You can find out more about how to join this exciting ownership group by contacted the QROOI’s Monique McNamara at 905 – 426-7050, the QROOI head office.

 

Let’s check out the Stakes results from 2017:

**JOHN DEERE AJAX DOWNS JUVENILE CHALLENGE ($20,000 ADDED)
For two-year-old Quarter Horses, who are AQHA Challenge enrolled

Winner – HAD TO BE IVORY – b.g.  Ivory James – Had to be Fandango Owners – Carol and Jaime Robterson., Trainer – Bryn Robterson

**ONTARIO SIRES STAKES FUTURITY $55,000 ADDED BY QHRIDP
For two-year-old Quarter Horses, Ontario Sired, as recorded with the Program Registry.
Winner – TOO MUCH WHITE, sorrel g.  Fire Finfer – Gotta Blazin Body  Owner: Gary McNichol. Trainer – Jason Pascoe 

**ALEX PICOV MEMORIAL FUTURITY $75,000 ADDED + $15,000 PURSE BONUS ($70,000 BY QHRIDP, $5,000 BY PICOV FAMILY)
For two-year-old Quarter Horses

Winner – HAD TO BE IVORY

**ONTARIO SIRES STAKES DERBY ($55,000 ADDED BY QHRIDP)
Ajax Downs
For three-year‐old Quarter Horses, Ontario Sired, as recorded with the Program Registry

Winner – GHOST PINES

**PICOV DERBY $70,000 ADDED + $15,000 PURSE BONUS) ($65,000 BY QHRIDP, $5,000 BY PICOV FAMILY
For three-year-old Quarter Horses

Winner – LS PRINCE  b.g. 3 Louisiana Senator – Princess Sixarun. Owner: Milena Kwiecien Trainer: Jason Pascoe

**ADEQUAN AJAX DOWNS DERBY CHALLENGE $20,000 ADDED
For three-year-old Quarter Horses who are AQHA challenge enrolled horses.

Winner – LS PRINCE b.g. 3 Louisiana Sentaror – Princess Sixarun

**PICOV MATURITY $50,000 ADDED + $15,000 PURSE BONUS ($45,000 BY QHRIDP, $5,000 BY PICOV FAMILY)
For four-year-old and up Quarter Horses

Winner – COUNTRY BOY 123 b.g. 4 Country Chicks Man – Very Dashin 123  Owner Ruth Barbour. Trainer: Bryn Roberston  

**ONTARIO SIRES STAKES MATURITY $50,000 ADDED BY QHRIDP
For four-year-old and up Quarter Horses, Ontario Sired, as recorded with the Program Registry

Winner – ALAKAZAAM  Sorrel g. 4 Mezoomn – Corona Deluse. Owners: Full Circle Racing and Cummings Cattle Co. Trainer: Greg Watson

**CHALLENGE MAIDEN $20,000 ADDED
For three-year-old and up Quarter Horses. All nominated horses must be a maiden at time of nomination to be eligible.

Winner – MS FIRST LADY br.f. 2 Mr Jess Perry – First Lady Amber. Owners: Richard Wincikaby and DK Training Centre. Trainer: Don Reid

**ALL CANADIAN CLASSIC $35,000 ADDED + $15,000 PURSE BONUS
For four-year-old and up Quarter Horses. Highest lifetime money earners preferred. Not trial based.

Winner – Country Boy 123

**BANK OF AMERICA CHAMPIONSHIP CHALLENGE $50,000 ADDED
For three-year-olds and up Quarter Horses, AQHA Challenge enrolled horses.

Winner – One Famous Glass, sorrel g. 7  One Famous Eagle – Quick Glass. owners: Dr. Charles Hall, Carol and Jaime Robertson. Trainer: Bryn Robertson

**ALEX PICOV MEMORIAL CHAMPIONSHIP $75,000 ADDED + $15,000 PURSE BONUS ($70,000 BY QHRIDP, $5,000 BY PICOV FAMILY)

Winner- Country Boy 123

 

 

Out of town, several horses ran hard and did Ajax Downs proud.

FAST MAN VIC had a noble try in the Grade 1 Bank of America Challenge Championship ono Oct. 14 at Prairie Meadows for Full Circle Racing of Greg and Sue Watson.
While he chased Country Boy 123 at his home track, ‘Vic’ saved his best race for last despite very sloppy conditions on Bank of America night.
Sent off a 188 to 1, Vic was 11th out of the gate but 5th at the finish with a big effort, a 99 Speed Index and more than $19,000 in purse winnings.

COUNTRY BOY 123 ended his season in the Indiana Championship at Indiana Downs and finished a strong second to Apollitical Man to cap off his championship season.

LS PRINCE, winner of the Picov Derby and Adequan Derby at Ajax Downs, finished 5th in the Grade 3 Adequan Derby final at Prairie Meadows in a good effort over the
testing sloppy conditions for Milena Kwicien and trainer Jason Pascoe. That stable’s 2-year-old CARNEROS was in the Grade 2 Juvenile Championship that evening also
but did not handle the slop and finished 10th.

Read this nice story on Fast Man Vic and Greg and Sue Watson prior to the gelding’s run at Prairie Meadows:

https://www.stallionesearch.com/default.asp?section=6&area=12&story=22485

The Champions of 2017 will be honoured at the annual QROOI ceremony and banquet, this year on Feb. 17, 2018 in Ajax at the Convention Centre.
This is always a fun party in which industry members celebrate the champions and get excited about the new season!

Cocktails are at 6 pm and dinner will be at 7 pm. Tickets are $25 each (includes HST). The QROOI is very excited to have ‘Two For the Show’ DJ our Awards Banquet.

**Please come join us and help us to celebrate our 2017 Champions! Please contact Monique at the QROOI office to purchase your tickets. A block of hotel rooms has
been reserved at Ajax Hilton Garden Inn Hotel and the Homewood Suites Ajax. If you would like a room for that evening please speak with Monique or contact the hotels
directly. Ajax Hilton Garden Inn can be reached at tel:(905) 686-9400 and Homewood Suites can be reached at (905) 686-5969. Please use the QROOI code when booking
your room for a cheaper rate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Champions are the point leaders according to the QROOI:

2017 Owners Summary

Owner                              Points   Earnings   Starts  1st  2nd  3rd

Tavares, Christine                 269 $270,853.00 146 23 20 31 22

Kwiecien, Milena                  204 $230,273.00 68 13 17 20 15

Wincikaby, Richard and D  145 $196,367.00 66 13 14 8 3

Crispi, Rick                             144 $145,087.00 93 15 13 13 14

Picov Cattle Co                       140 $153,354.00 106 21 10 14 14

Heste Sport Inc                      129 $165,690.00 145 18 8 11 15

Broadstock, Marie                 90 $87,137.00 43 7 8 9 5

Full Circle Racing                  88 $92,404.00 31 6 6 9 6

Bourgeois, Chantelle            79 $86,378.00 39 6 6 6 9

Wilson, John S                     69 $57,842.00 32 8 7 5 8

Barbour, Ruth F                  68 $115,644.00 14 2 6 5 1

McNichol, Gary                   68 $111,216.00 18 4 6 3 3

Robertson, Carol ,Jaime   64 $123,884.00 17 3 9 1 4

Coleman, George                64 $90,669.00 19 3 10 1 3

Big Dog Racing                    59 $74,952.00 37 8 6 3 5

Wood, Barry                         59 $59,336.00 24 3 6 7 2

Wilson, Renee                      55 $56,472.00 43 7 6 2 6

 

2017 Trainer Summary

Trainer           Points Money # Starts Win Place Show

Tavares, Joe                 384 $401,686.00 232 28 43 34

Pascoe, Jason                 285 $344,812.00 122 24 26 28
Reid, Scott                      208 $246,794.00 74 25 11 16
Dunlap, Tom                  207 $228,475.00 165 19 19 23
Watson < Greg              192 $231,874.00 79 12 18 14
Reid, Scott                      177 $239,655.00 74 18 9 3
Robertson, Bryn            168 $298,407.00 38 19 7 6
Broadstock, Bob            52 $146,516.00 76 12 13 13
Ballis-Hunderup, D     129 $165,690.00 145 8 11 15
Wood, B                         101 $105,030.00 49 10 9 6
Lehtinen, Erik               36 $42,964.00 13 4 2 3
Woodley, Michelle        33 $53,150.00 6 3 2 1
McIntyre, Carol             24 $28,064.00 18 3 0 2
Kennedy, Rick                 23 $26,531.00 30 1 1 6
McCormack, Amanda    21 $22,256.00 10 2 2 3
Giles, Dan                        19 $17,169.00 12 1 2 3
Baker, Les                         17 $18,792.00 12 1 1 2
Pearson, Ralph               14 $23,215.00 11 1 3 0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jockey Summary

Castillo, Ramiro          403 $435,663.00 185 37 37 36
Phillips, Tony               378 $454,925.00 177 29 34 30
Willick, Chelsey           336 $377,649.00 186 27 35 26
Jeschke, Cassandra    300 $366,198.00 121 33 17 26
Bell, Brian                    300 $377,934.00 139 32 17 14
Spataro, Cory              259 $353,280.00 124 21 21 19
Walton, Ed                  183 $204,289.00 140 15 19 19
Serrano, J                     122 $155,717.00 67 9 13 8
DeSouza, Lloyd           95 $120,612.00 118 3 13 16
Scott, Josh                    91 $148,588.00 70 8 8 14
Husbands, Neil            79 $96,710.00 72 8 7 7
Badal. Max                   23 $29,609.00 37 3 2 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BREEDERS

 

Only Ontario Bred Horses registered with OQHRIDP Included in Summary
Points are only awarded to horses whose owner(s) and trainer(s) are
members of the QROOI

Pts Breeder Money Can$ Starts Win Place Show

166 Tavares, Christine $182,945.00 93 11 20 16
148 McNichol, Gary and Marlene $196,535.00 72 13 11 15
122 Heste Sport inc $156,886.00 143 8 11 13
80 Picov Cattle co $99,592.00 61 7 8 7
74 Paquin, Guylaine $100,773.00 36 6 5 4
64 Robertson, Carol and Jaime $125,164.00 18 9 1 4
64 Lehtinen, Joyce and/or Erik $96,036.00 46 5 7 8
62 Full Circle Racing $75,662.00 22 4 5 6
56 McNichol, Gary $94,557.00 12 6 2
53 Four Leaf Racing $78,214.00 18 8 2 2
44 Naterer, Marko $56,041.00 18 4 4 2
43 Reid, Scott $67,968.00 13 5 2 2
40 Baker, Les $42,363.00 36 1 5 7
37 Ivy Lane Racing $44,361.00 21 3 4 4
31 Baytonia Stables $37,367.00 22 2 4 2
29 Schrama, Mary $31,120.00 14 4 2 1
29 Bourgeois, Chantelle $34,283.00 14 3 1 3
26 Big Dog Racing $31,134.00 13 3 1 3
25 DK Training Centre $34,356.00 12 2 2
23 Mark, Kimberly $22,675.00 11 1 3 3
21 Lampron, Carole $24,587.00 14 2 1 3
20 McCormack, Amanda $20,132.00 10 2 2 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEADING HORSES BY POINTS/DIVISION

2017 – HORSE OF THE YEAR – COUNTRY BOY 123

Older Male

Country Boy   123 46 6 $98,254.00 $77,786.00 5 1
Arctic Fame        41 9 $61,170.00 $47,038.00 7 1
One Famous Glass 31 6 $54,074.00 $43,137.00 3 1 1
Countrys Comin Bac 30 9 $40,912.00 $32,283.00 3 3 1
Channelislandsflyer 30 11 $22,920.00 $17,928.00 2 5 2
Albertt                    29 9 $49,654.00 $39,166.00 3 2 1
Valiant Stoli Time 29 12 $28,629.00 $22,621.00 6 3
Alakazaam          23 8 $43,344.00 $29,462.00 1 3
Ice N Snow         23 8 $23,860.00 $18,856.00 1 4 3
Perfect to Look At 22 8 $23,804.00 $18,313.00 3 1 1

3-YEAR-OLD GELDING/STALLION

Maryland Magic 35 9 $29,955.00 $23,448.00 4 3 1
Ls Prince 30 7 $59,653.00 $48,275.00 4 1
Fast Streakin Nick 28 10 $20,950.00 $16,368.00 2 4 3
Miromar 27 7 $27,690.00 $21,719.00 4 1
Hickerson 25 7 $44,647.00 $35,980.00 1 2 1
Iconic Shift 23 7 $17,560.00 $13,978.00 3 1 1
The Dominyunator 23 10 $30,479.00 $23,743.00 3 1 2
Furr Shear 22 8 $17,390.00 $13,780.00 1 4 1
Home Ice 20 7 $24,204.00 $19,224.00 2 1 1
Eyesa Dexter 20 9 $21,585.00 $17,013.00 2 1 1
Coronas Chrome 20 9 $19,814.00 $15,693.00 2 2 1

AGED MARE

Ms Dashin Corona 30 9 $19,520.00 $15,140.00 4 2 1
Rockin Miss Kitty 26 9 $19,310.00 $15,403.00 3 3 2
Ice Fishn 25 8 $33,404.00 $26,218.00 1 2 2
Georgies May Kitty 23 11 $22,675.00 $17,806.00 1 3 3
Ms First Prize Pearl 22 5 $24,480.00 $19,562.00 4
A Game Dasher 21 8 $14,720.00 $11,441.00 2 1 4
Angelles Baby Tnt 20 10 $12,020.00 $9,351.00 1 2 3
Runaway Cause 17 7 $16,932.00 $13,937.00 1 2 1
Dees Black Dimples 16 9 $15,088.00 $11,902.00 2 1 1
Hope Rambles On 15 7 $19,636.00 $15,324.00 1 1

3-YEAR-OLD FILLY

Make Me Bodacious 34 12 $39,290.00 $30,840.00 3 4 3
Ghost Pines 28 5 $46,926.00 $36,974.00 3 1
Kool Dashin Babe 27 9 $26,530.00 $21,003.00 2 4 1
One Dashin Rose 22 7 $16,691.00 $13,006.00 2 2 2
Sweet Pagrana 20 6 $20,248.00 $18,410.00 2 2 2
Mrs First Lady 19 9 $31,767.00 $24,846.00 2 1 1
Night Fishn 18 5 $20,690.00 $16,464.00 3 1
Fishin for a Corona 17 7 $18,380.00 $14,417.00 2 1 1
Denali Teller Off 16 5 $14,264.00 $11,058.00 1 2 1
Miss Dock Hill 14 8 $10,840.00 $8,421.00 1 1 3

2-YEAR-OLD GELDING/COLT

Had to Be Ivory 32 5 $84,605.00 $67,201.00 5
Too Much White 17 5 $35,830.00 $28,286.00 1 1 1
Carneros 15 4 $14,970.00 $11,843.00 1 2 1
Smoakn Gun 12 4 $12,884.00 $10,269.00 2
Express Your Desire 10 3 $14,335.00 $11,345.00 2

TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLY

Aj Chick in 15 17 4 $30,550.00 $24,328.00 1 2 1
Island Vodka 17 5 $19,727.00 $15,721.00 2 1
Elenorr 14 4 $18,314.00 $14,551.00 2 1
Junoimzoomin 12 2 $18,650.00 $14,749.00 1 1
Silky Senator 12 5 $15,318.00 $12,134.00 1 2 1

 

**Please join everyone at the Feb. 17 awards banquet for dinner, dancing and much more!