Ajax Downs

10/22/2026

THAT’S A WRAP ON AN INCREDIBLE 2026 RACE SEASON AT AJAX DOWNS!
What an amazing way to close out our season on Wednesday, October 21! Nine exciting races and a fantastic afternoon of Quarter Horse racing!
Congratulations to BAREF HURRICANE RUSH, jockey Corry Beland, trainer Corey Illman and owner Earl Foster on their exciting victory in the Alex Picov Memorial Futurity!
A heartfelt THANK YOU to our amazing racing fans, owners, trainers, jockeys, racing families, backstretch community, gate crew and all our dedicated staff. You are what makes Ajax Downs so special!
A special shoutout to our NEW TRACK OUTRIDERS! Fantastic job this season! Thank you for looking out for everyone and helping keep our horses, jockeys and racing community safe!
We couldn't do it without all of you! Here's to wonderful memories, great racing and an incredible 2026 season!
SEE YOU IN 2027!
Photo credit: New Image Media & Laurie Overton

10/20/2026

THE FUTURE STARS OF QUARTER HORSE RACING TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT AJAX DOWNS!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21 – ALEX PICOV FUTURITY!

It's going to be an exciting showdown as 10 talented two-year-olds line up for the 400-yard Alex Picov Futurity on the final race day of the 2026 season!

And if the September 30th Trials were any indication, racing fans are in for a THRILLER!

A DEAD HEAT THAT SETS UP AN EPIC REMATCH!

Ontario-bred fillies IMPERIAL MIRACLE and BAREF HURRICANE RUSH couldn't be separated at the finish line in their Trial, hitting the wire together in a remarkable 20.633 seconds! Even more exciting, it was the FIRST career victory for both fillies!

IMPERIAL MIRACLE, bred and owned by James Bogar of Cameron, Ontario, came flying late under jockey Tony Phillips to catch the speedy BAREF HURRICANE RUSH, owned by Earl Foster and ridden by Corry Beland.

Bogar currently leads all Quarter Horse breeders at Ajax Downs with an impressive 16 wins from 69 starts!

BUT CAN ANYONE STOP THE UNDEFEATED HAD TO BE VALIANT?

The talented filly HAD TO BE VALIANT is a perfect 3 FOR 3 and looking to keep her winning streak alive!

Owned and bred by Carol and Jaime Robertson of Hillsburgh, Ontario, Had To Be Valiant captured the Ontario Bred Futurity in July and returned to win her September 30th Trial by a nose in 20.758 seconds, with jockey Ismael Mosqueira aboard.

Now the stage is set!

Will Imperial Miracle or Baref Hurricane Rush break their dead-heat rivalry and claim the big prize? Or will undefeated Had To Be Valiant make it FOUR STRAIGHT?

ONE RACE. TEN YOUNG STARS. ONE FUTURITY CHAMPION!

ALEX PICOV FUTURITY – RACE #8

10/20/2026

ONE LAST RIDE AT AJAX DOWNS!

IT'S OUR FINAL RACE DAY OF THE 2026 SEASON!

Join us Wednesday, October 21st, as we wrap up another incredible season of Quarter Horse racing at Ajax Downs!

9 ACTION-PACKED RACES!

Featuring the exciting ALEX PICOV FUTURITY!

First race kicks off at 12:55 PM!

HPIBET END-OF-SEASON PROMOTION!

We're finishing the season with a little something EXTRA! Wager on Ajax Downs through HPIbet on October 21st and receive 3% CASH BACK on eligible wagers over $40!

COME HUNGRY – WE'VE GOT SOME GREAT TREATS!

Hot Dogs & More will be here serving up your favourite racetrack eats!

Charcuterie Chic is BACK! Stop by and treat yourself to some delicious charcuterie favourites!

Girls Inc. will be joining us! They'll be selling tasty snacks to raise funds in support of their programs. Be sure to stop by, grab a treat and help support a wonderful cause!

FREE ADMISSION & FREE PARKING!

Come cheer on your favourite horses, jockeys and trainers, enjoy some great food and soak up the excitement as we close out another fantastic racing season!

A huge THANK YOU to our racing fans, horse owners, trainers, jockeys, staff and community partners for making the 2026 season so special. Your continued support means the world to us!

LET'S PACK THE TRACK AND MAKE OUR FINAL RACE DAY ONE TO REMEMBER!

DON'T MISS THE FINAL DASH TO THE FINISH LINE!

10/14/2026

WHAT A THANKSGIVING MONDAY AT AJAX DOWNS!

Monday, October 12, 2026 – Race Day for United Way & Pumpkin Giveaway Day!

What a fantastic afternoon of exciting racing, laughter, pumpkins and community spirit at Ajax Downs! Families and racing fans came together for a fun-filled Thanksgiving Monday in support of United Way Durham Region!

THE 3RD ANNUAL BATTLE OF THE BREEDS – TURKEYS VS. CHICKENS!

One of the funniest highlights of the day was our annual Turkeys vs. Chickens Jockey Race! Our jockeys traded their racing silks for hilarious costumes, and with wings flapping, feathers flying and fans cheering, it was a race full of laughs!

A huge thank-you to our amazing jockeys for being such great sports and making this Thanksgiving tradition so much fun!

EIGHT EXCITING RACES & TWO THRILLING STAKES!

Fans enjoyed an action-packed eight-race Quarter Horse card featuring some of Ontario's top racing talent!

The $59,850 Ontario Sired Stakes Derby saw CHILLIN WITH PEEPS capture the 350-yard championship by half a length with jockey Cassandra Jeschke aboard for owner and trainer Chantelle Bourgeois!

The $49,950 Alex Picov Memorial Championship delivered another exciting finish as SNOW MOOSE, ridden by J.B. Botello, powered to victory over Peighntmeadiamond for owner Milena Kwiecien and trainer Jason Pascoe!

Another highlight was MY ROYAL SW***ER, who continued his impressive season with jockey Corry Beland!

PUMPKINS, SMILES & COMMUNITY SPIRIT!

A heartfelt THANK YOU to the Canadian Progress Club for their generous donation of pumpkins for the kids! Seeing so many happy little faces made the day extra special.

And thank you to everyone who came out and supported United Way Durham Region through your generous donations. Your kindness helps make a difference in our community!

From thrilling races to speedy turkeys, silly chickens and happy pumpkin decorators, it was a Thanksgiving Monday to remember!

Great racing, family fun and a wonderful community coming together — that's what Ajax Downs is all about!

Photo Credit: New Image Media & Laurie Overton

10/12/2026

Braiding Horses tail @ Ajax Downs Monday October 12 th - join us at the races !!
Happy Thanksgiving!

10/12/2026

Braiding Horses tail @ Ajax Downs Monday October 12 th - join us at the races !!
Happy Thanksgiving!

10/11/2026

Tomorrow !!! Thanksgiving Monday at Ajax Downs …. So much happening Monday October 12th ! Come on out and support United Way !
Live Quarter Horse Racing First Race Post – 12:55 P.M.
Pumpkin Giveaway and program sales open at 12:00 P.M
Free t-shirt with the purchase of an Ajax Downs live racing program
(while quantities last)
Bring a donation of non-perishable food item(s) or gently used fall & winter clothing in support of United Way and receive a $5 betting voucher as our thank-you!
Every donation, big or small, can help someone in need.
Let’s come together, give back, and show what community spirit is all about!
One voucher per person. Must be 18+ to participate.
Hotdogs & More will be here for all your BBQ needs

10/11/2026

Tomorrow!!!! Thanksgiving Monday at Ajax Downs …. So much happening Monday October 12th ! Come on out and support United Way !
Live Quarter Horse Racing First Race Post – 12:55 P.M.
Pumpkin Giveaway and program sales open at 12:00 P.M
Free t-shirt with the purchase of an Ajax Downs live racing program
(while quantities last)
Bring a donation of non-perishable food item(s) or gently used fall & winter clothing in support of United Way and receive a $5 betting voucher as our thank-you!
Every donation, big or small, can help someone in need.
Let's come together, give back, and show what community spirit is all about!
One voucher per person. Must be 18+ to participate.
Hotdogs & More will be here for all your BBQ needs

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

Thanksgiving Monday at Ajax Downs …. So much happening Monday October 12th ! Come on out and support United Way !
Live Quarter Horse Racing First Race Post – 12:55 P.M.
Pumpkin Giveaway and program sales open at 12:00 P.M
Free t-shirt with the purchase of an Ajax Downs live racing program
(while quantities last)
Bring a donation of non-perishable food item(s) or gently used fall & winter clothing in support of United Way and receive a $5 betting voucher as our thank-you!
Every donation, big or small, can help someone in need.
Let's come together, give back, and show what community spirit is all about!
One voucher per person. Must be 18+ to participate.
Hotdogs & More will be here for all your BBQ needs