By Laurie Haughton, Chair, CQHA Media, Marketing & Communications Committee

There’s a certain energy that only a Quarter Horse racing fan understands — that split-second rush when the gates open, when the earth shakes beneath the rail, and when combined 6,000 pounds of muscle and instinct break loose from stillness to full flight. That’s the heartbeat of our sport, and it was alive and well on Thanksgiving Monday, 2025, at Ajax Downs in Ontario.

The Canadian Quarter Horse Association (CQHA) had the privilege of being on-site, streaming live from the track to social channels, visiting owners and trainers in the barns, and chatting with fans who had gathered to cheer on these incredible athletes. The excitement was contagious. Quarter Horse racing might not have the same distance as the Thoroughbreds, but what it lacks in length it makes up for in intensity. In less than 22 seconds, an entire story unfolds.

Throughout the day, CQHA’s 1st Vice President Laurie Haughton was in the paddock and barns connecting with owners, trainers, jockeys, and breeders about the state of the industry and where they see the future taking it. The conversations were honest and hopeful; the challenges of rising costs and tightening margins were met with pride, determination, and a shared belief in the horses that carry this sport forward. Across the grounds, trainers cooling out their horses after a hard-fought race, breeders discussing next year’s crosses, and owners planning long-term goals all echoed the same sentiment: this is an industry defined by grit, tradition, and belief — belief in the horses, in the people who develop them, and in the collective potential of what comes next.

The team behind Had to Be Ivory accept the Alex Picov Memorial Championship stakes trophy. Photo: Clive Cohen/New Image Media

Speaking with Bob Broadstock, American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Director for Ontario, President of the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Inc. (QROOI), and a trainer-owner himself with horses running that afternoon, added a grounded perspective to the day’s excitement. Broadstock spoke about the importance of continued funding and recognition for Quarter Horse racing in Canada, not just to sustain the current program, but to secure its future. His insight carried the weight of experience from both sides of the rail. As someone who breeds, trains, and advocates within the sport, he understands firsthand how vital breeding incentives, purse structures, and industry partnerships are to the long-term health of the Quarter Horse sector. 

Behind the barns, Hillerin Farms, based in Erin, Ontario, owned by Bryn (CQHA’s 2022 AQHA Trainer of the Year) and Carol Robertson, offered a rare window into the intensity of race-day preparation. It was a study in organized chaos; grooms preparing horses, Bryn and his son Mike and daughter Kim checking tack, and horses pawing the ground in anticipation. Managing three runners in the same race demands timing, teamwork, and composure, and the Hillerin crew demonstrated all three. Every hand had a purpose, every task a rhythm, and by the time the horses were loaded, the precision and pride behind the operation were unmistakable.

The highlight of the day was the running of the 52nd Alex Picov Memorial Championship, one of the most anticipated races on the QROOI calendar. The field brought together some of the country’s most accomplished sprinters, including the legendary Had to Be Ivory, the richest Ontario-bred Quarter Horse in history. At ten years old, the gelding once again demonstrated the power and professionalism that have defined his career. Owned and bred by Carol and Jaime Robertson (CQHA’s 2023 Canadian Race Horse Breeders of the Year), Had to Be Ivory broke clean, took command early, and crossed the line with his trademark ease and focus. His half-brother, Had to Be Relentless, followed in second, and his full sister, Had to Be Ivy, came fifth, all bred by the Robertson family.

Following the race, CQHA presented the 2024 Canadian-Bred and/or -Owned Horse of the Year buckle to Had to Be Ivory. It was a proud moment for the Robertson family and a celebration of the Canadian breeding programs that continue to produce world-class horses capable of competing at the highest levels.

While organized Quarter Horse racing in Canada currently takes place only in Ontario and Alberta, both provinces stand as vital pillars supporting the national framework of the sport. Each brings its own strengths, traditions, and programs to the table, together representing the full heartbeat of Canadian Quarter Horse racing.

In Alberta, the Alberta Quarter Horse Racing Association (AQHRA) continues to drive the sport’s growth in the West. Rooted in a proud history dating back to the 1950s, AQHRA has become a cornerstone organization supporting breeders, owners, and trainers through its racing programs, awards, and incentives.

Each fall, AQHRA hosts the Canada Quarter Horse Cup Yearling & Mixed Sale, one of the most important fixtures on the Western racing calendar. Every yearling sold through the ring carries a berth into both the Canada Quarter Horse Cup Futurity and the Sale Stakes Futurity, ensuring a direct link between Alberta’s breeding industry and future competition opportunities. The 2025 high seller, Babes Wagon, brought $14,000, a reflection of buyer confidence in Alberta pedigrees and the strength of the provincial breeding base. The association also proudly hosts Canada’s only Bank of America Racing Challenge qualifiers, the exclusive Canadian gateway to AQHA’s most prestigious racing series, held annually in New Mexico. Together, these programs reflect Alberta’s deep commitment to strengthening the national industry and maintaining its connection to the global Quarter Horse community.

From Ajax Downs to Century Mile, Canadian Quarter Horse racing thrives through shared vision, local passion, and a commitment to excellence. CQHA remains proud to celebrate and support both provinces, ensuring that the legacy of the Canadian Quarter Horse continues to grow — fast, fierce, and undeniably Canadian.

For more information on Quarter Horse Racing in Ontario please go to The QROOI’s First Line Racing Syndicate.

For more information on Quarter Horse Racing in Alberta please go to Alberta Quarter Horse Racing Association – AQHA.

To see CQHA’s full coverage of their day at the races at Ajax Downs October 13, 2025 please go to: A Day at Ajax Downs - Canadian Quarter Horse Association.

Canadian Quarter Horse Association

Main Photo: Ten-year-old Had to Be Ivory captured the 52nd Alex Picov Memorial Championship on October 13, 2025 at Ajax Downs. Photo: Clive Cohen/New Image Media