QROOI Horse of the Year and champion Had To Be Fabulous returned to the winner's circle on June 21, capturing the $29,790 Norman Picov Maturity at Ajax Downs.

© Clive Cohen

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

AJAX, CAN–JUNE 21, 2026– QROOI Horse of the Year and champion Had To Be Fabulous returned to the winner's circle on June 21, capturing the $29,790 Norman Picov Maturity at Ajax Downs under jockey Ismael Mosqueira. The filly broke sharply from the rail and held off her rivals to score by a half-length while posting a 102 speed index over a fast track.

Owned and bred by Carol and Jaime Robertson and trained by Bryn Robertson, Had To Be Fabulous is by One Fabulous Eagle and out of Dam of Distinction Had To Be Fandango. She is a half-sister to champion Had To Be Ivory, one of the most accomplished Quarter Horses in Ajax Downs history.

Had To Be Fabulous’ winning connection. © Clive Cohen

The victory was worth $8,949 and boosted her career bankroll to $135,428. She now boasts an outstanding record of 16 starts with 14 wins.

Although her 10-race winning streak was snapped in her previous outing, she quickly rebounded with another stakes score. Her career highlights include victories in the Norman Picov Derby, Princess Derby, Ontario Bred Derby, QROOI Open Derby, Alex Picov Memorial Futurity, and QROOI Bonus Futurity.

"I was hoping Had To Be Fabulous could take on the big boys," said Bryn Robertson. "She stepped up, broke really well and tried her best. They weren't catching her."

Mosqueira agreed after the race.

"It's nice to see that she can perform at this level with so many top horses here," he said. "Even though last year she was running well and making it really easy, she never really been tested. Today was a good day for it and she showed us what she can do.

"She's an amazing horse and follows in the footsteps of her brother Had To Be Ivory."

Had To Be Ivory, now retired from racing, will be honored during a retirement celebration at Ajax Downs on July 1. Fans attending the event will have an opportunity to win a pair of the champion's horseshoes.

Mosqueira also reflected on his own career following the victory.

"I am blessed and excited that I am still healthy and am able to keep going," he said.

Kissin Ella and jockey Brian Bell finished second for owner Milena Kwiecien and trainer Jason Pascoe. The filly broke well and chased the winner throughout but could not make up ground late.

Bred by Paris Wixon, she is by champion Kiss My Hocks and out of the Corona Cartel mare Cartella, a half-sister to stakes winner and All American Derby (G1) runner-up Sam Crow ($1,012,935). Her second dam is graded stakes winner Bourbonstreetchick ($78,716).

Kissin Ella now sports a record of 20-3-6-3 with earnings of $38,832. Still searching for her first stakes victory, she previously finished second in the Norman Picov Derby and third in the QROOI Open Derby. She was a $21,000 purchase at the Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale.

Following the disqualification of The Batmann, Spy For The Senate was elevated from fourth to third. Ridden by Cristian Benitez, the veteran stallion is also owned by Milena Kwiecien and trained by Jason Pascoe.

Breaking from the outside post, he raced evenly throughout to secure the show position. Bred by Mary Hainline, he was a $6,000 repurchase at the Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale.

The son of Louisiana Senator and the Corona Cartel mare Corona Spy now owns a remarkable record of 65-23-16-11 with earnings of $251,248. A durable stakes performer, Spy For The Senate has won seven stakes races and has been a fixture in Ontario stakes competition for several seasons.

Queen Charlotte finished fourth after being bumped early and racing evenly throughout. Snow Moose was fifth after being brushed on both sides leaving the gate. The Batmann, who crossed the wire third, was disqualified and placed sixth for interference in the early stretch. Bodhi completed the order of finish after being shuffled back shortly after the start.

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