(10-24-23) Canada’s Ajax Downs in Ajax, Ontario will feature tomorrow in Race 2 the ‘Battle of the Breeds‘. Quarter Horses vs, Thoroughbreds in an 870-yard race (about four furlongs) around a turn.

From Ajax Downs Press Release—

Race 2, with a post time of 1:12 p.m. is the first-ever Battle of the Breeds at Ajax Downs, an 870-yard race (about four furlongs) around a turn matching two Quarter Horses against three Thoroughbreds.

Ajax Downs’ General Manager Emilio Trotta

“We had a few of these races about 10 years ago at Fort Erie racetrack. We wanted to try and bring it back this year and hope to have one or two a month next year.”

Owner and trainer Ted Holder, whose Thoroughbred colt Kaukokaipuu raced in the King’s Plate at Woodbine this year and was second in the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie, has entered MIAH SAID (( Mr Speaker – Industrial Policy, by Harlan’s Holiday )) in the Battle of the Breeds.

Holder said –

“He’s very quick. We’ll give it a shot. I”m happy to give Ajax Downs a little push for this race, it’s exciting.”

Thoroughbred trainers Roy Agostino and Joe Humber have entered Devil In Her Heart ( Signature Red – Executive Star, by Bold Executive ) and Red Maple ( Signature Red – What Is It Now, by Perigee Moon ), respectively. Ajax Downs’ leading owner Milena Kwiecien has entered her stakes star MARYLAND MAGIC ( Pyc Paint Your Wagon – Purley Un Social, by All Mitey Dash ), a winner of a 770-yard, ‘hook’ race last fall. Magen Finnessey’s AZURES ROYALTY ( Azure Down There – Royal Gate, by Relagate ), whose dam Royal Gate is a Thoroughbred, completes the field.

RELATED:

Thoroughbreds have played a big part in Quarter Horse racing over the years. In an exciting move in the breeding barn, thanks to AI. is the introduction of foals from one of thw world’s leading thoroughbred sires ‘Into Mischief‘.

Time will tell if his foals will make an impact in quarter horse racing, but it should be fun to watch and see.

Horse racing could use more ‘Battle of the Breeds‘ type events in the future. In has been a tough year for thoroughbred racing in 2023…from the disappointment of Forte not being able to race in the Kentucky Derby, to the numerous runners being euthanized on race day.

UPDATED: 10-25-23