Had to Be Ivory smashed the track record for 110 yards in the feature race on closing day at Ajax Downs

© Clive Cohen/New Image Media

AJAX, ONT–OCTOBER 31, 2024–What a way to end the racing season. In a brilliant display of speed, champion Had To Be Ivory set a track record for 110 yards at Ajax Downs on closing day of the 2024 Quarter Horse season.

The powerful 9-year-old gelding son of Ivory James exploded from the gate from the rail post and was 1 1/2 lengths in front of his rivals at the finish in a sizzling 6.761 beating Carneros' five-year record of 6.770. The world record of 6.660 was set in Mexico City in 2022 by Divas First Anita who posted a 116 speed index.

Incredibly, Had to Be Ivory, ridden by Josh Scott, earned a career-best 113 speed index in his fourth win this year and 29th in 39 career races. "A demolishing win" is how track announcer Frank Ferrari described the race.

"I was shocked," said Bryn Robertson, who trains homebred gelding for his wife Carol and daughter-in-law Jaime. "I thought he had a good shot because he's a great breaker. But he really jumped out there and was gone."

Had to Be Ivory turned the tables on James Bogar's Queen Charlotte, who defeated the gelding in the Alex Picov Championship but was fourth on Wednesday in her first try at the 110-yard distance.

Robertson said Had to Be Ivory, who will winter at the family's Hillerin Farm in Hillsburgh, could return to racing in 2025. "We might bring him out for a run in the spring and see how he does."

James Bogar led all owners and breeders through the 25-day Ajax Downs meeting by wins and Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario (QROOI) points. Bogar won 25 races, putting him second in the trainer's standings to perennial leader Jason Pascoe, who won 27 races to take the title.

Jockey BRIAN BELL won his second straight High Point Rider title and finished the season with 18 wins. Diego Benitez rode the most winners with 23 victories. The season's Horse of the Year will be decided by the QROOI board of directors.

Ajax Downs and the QROOI will honor its champion horses and humans on March 8 at the annual Awards Banquet at the Ajax Convention Centre.

Ajax Downs' expansive simulcast room remains open throughout the winter offering telecasts from dozens of tracks throughout the world. This Friday and Saturday will feature the simulcast of the 41st Breeders' Cup World Championships from Del Mar racetrack in California.

Keep up to date with news and events from Ajax Downs by visiting www.ajaxdowns.com and follow us on social media, @ajaxdowns.