"She broke really good today," said Bryn Robertson. "In that last race she stumbled a little bit and she just wasn't sharp enough.
AJAX DOWNS, AUGUST 13, 2026 - It didn't take long for 2025 Ajax Downs' Horse of the Year HAD TO BE FABULOUS to get back to winning form after a rare loss in early July. On Wednesday, August 12, Had to Be Fabulous bounced back with a determined victory in the $29,430 Princess Maturity for 4-year-olds and upward, fillies and mares at 400 yards.
On a warm, overcast day that had early rain, Had to Be Fabulous and jockey Ismael Mosqueira had the best start from the gate and from there, led their seven rivals on a merry chase. At the finish, the Ontario bred by One Fabulous Eagle won by half a length over the closing pair of half sisters, Relentless Betty, a 30 to 1 longshot, and Queen Charlotte, the second favourite, both owned by James Bogar.
Had to Be Fabulous made no mistakes in the Princess Maturity at Ajax Downs on August 12. JM photo
Had to Be Fabulous, owned by Carl and Jaime Robertson and trained by Bryn Robertson, stopped the teletimer in 20.105 for a 95 speed index. The Princess Maturity was her 15th win in 18 races. She had lost two of her last three starts due to bad starts.
"She broke really good today," said Bryn Robertson. "In that last race she stumbled a little bit and she just wasn't sharp enough
Had to Be Fabulous is a 4-year-old half sister to multiple champion Had to Be Ivory who retired from racing this year. The winning trophy was presented to the Robertson's by Ajax Downs' special guest Janet Van Bebber, the chief racing officer of the American Quarter Horse Association, based in Texas.
BODHI, owned and trained by Nick Mileni, Jr. of Fort Erie, set a track record in the day's first race at 660 yards. The dark bay gelding, ridden by Helen Vanek, flew around the turn and won the 660-yard hook race in 34.754, for a 97 speed index. The time bettered the previous track record of 35.216 set by General Skywalker last October. Bodhi was winning for the 13th time in his career.
ISMAEL MOSQUIERA won three races on Wednesday to bring his total to 12 wins for the season, tied for second with Brian Bell. Cristian Benitez won two races and he leads all riders with 14 wins.
RALPH PEARSON, one of the founders of Quarter Horse racing in Ontario, was presented with the MERITORIOUS AWARD by the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Mississauga on August 12.
Pearson is credited with bringing pari-mutuel racing to Picov Downs and the Markham Fair in the early 1970s and was involved in organizing Quarter Horse meets at Woodbine and other tracks.
Pearson gave tirelessly of his time to many organizations in efforts to improve Quarter Horse Racing in Ontario. He was among the executives responsible for starting the Quarter Horse stakes and futurity programs and had two tenures as president of the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario, in the 1970s and 1980s. At the time of his passing in 2025, at the age of 92, Pearson was still on the QROOI board.
Racing continues at Ajax Downs next Wednesday, August 19 with a 3:30 post time. Come out to Ajax on Tuesday, August 18 for a Handicapping Contest and a chance to win a $500 betting voucher.
Princess Derby Replay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CW-0K6WsOc
Source: Ajax Downs
