Canadian Horse of the Year Had To Be Ivory, under jockey Ismael Mosqueira, defeats her sister Had To Be Ivy in his fifth Onatrio Bred Maturity victory on Wednesday at Ajax Downs.

© New Image Media / Clive Cohen

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

AJAX DOWNS, ONTARIO—July 16, 2025—In a dramatic return to top form, multiple Canadian Horse of the Year and AQHA Canadian Racing Champion Had To Be Ivory silenced any lingering doubts about his staying power by capturing the $29,250(US) Ontario Bred Maturity for a record fifth time at Ajax Downs on Wednesday.

The 10-year-old bay gelding surged from the gates and never looked back, clocking 19.945 seconds over 400 yards with a 98 speed index, holding off a game bid from his younger sister Had To Be Ivy to secure redemption after last year’s defeat in this same race.

Breaking on top under Ismael Mosqueira, Had To Be Ivory powered with a tailwind of 8 mph on a fast track to earn the $13,765(US) winner’s share for owner-breeders Carol and Jaime Robertson. The son of Ivory James, out of Had To Be Fandango by Hadtobenuts, is trained by Bryn Robertson, who admitted pre-race concerns about the distance and the gelding’s condition.

The winning connections of Had To Be Ivory accept the fifth Ontario Bred Maturity stakes trophy at Ajax Downs.
© New Image Media / Clive Cohen

"I didn’t know if he could go the 400 yards," said Robertson. "We trained him good but he was off this week. He had a bit of a problem with a sore abscess in his foot, but that cleared up. He ran super. He broke out of the gates and they weren’t catching him."

Had To Be Ivory entered the race off a sharp 110-yard Allowance win on July 2, his first start of the year. The same horse who owns track records at both 110 and 400 yards proved he could still summon top-level stamina. "He surprised me with this one," Robertson added.

Had To Be Ivory picked up his 31st career win in 41 starts and increased his bankroll to $386,086.

Trainer Bryn Robertson gives Had To Be Ivory a well-deserved rinse after winning the Ontario Bred Maturity on Wednesday at Ajax Downs.
© New Image Media / Clive Cohen

The main threat came from his full sister Had To Be Ivy, who delivered a determined late rally under jockey Cristian Benitez, finishing ½ length behind in 20.037 seconds with a 96 speed index. Also bred and owned by the Robertsons and trained by Bryn Robertson, the 5-year-old mare earned $6,883(US) for her effort, boosting her earnings total to $94,182.

Third-place honors went to last year’s winner multiple stakes winner Snow Moose, who had ended Had To Be Ivory’s reign in 2024. The 5-year-old gray gelding, by multiple stakes sire Seperate Interest out of Favorite Pearl by Favorite Cartel, chased the leaders gamely but lacked the closing kick to threaten.

He finished one-length behind Had To Be Ivy, collecting $3,442(US) for owner-breeder Milena Kwiecien, trainer Jason Pascoe, and jockey J. Botello. Snow Moose is a nine-time winner of more than $130,500.

In the remaining order of finish, Silver Lyning placed fourth and Phil Jefferson was fifth.

Wagering favorites were rewarded at the windows as Had To Be Ivory returned $2.20 to win, $2.10 to place, and $2.10 to show. Had To Be Ivy paid $4.30 and $2.40, while Snow Moose paid $2.10 to show.

With another Ontario Bred Maturity title under his belt, Had To Be Ivory continues to etch his name among the sport’s elite Canadian-breds—one dominant stride at a time.

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