Brian Bell guides Peighntmeadiamond to a victory in the $31,181 Ontario Bred Maturity on Wednesday at Ajax Downs.

© Clive Cohen / New Image Media

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

AJAX, ON–JULY 8, 2026–Peighntmeadiamond pulled off a 5-1 upset in Wednesday's $31,181 (US) Ontario Bred Maturity at Ajax Downs, rallying from sixth out of the gate to defeat Niigaanii by three-quarters of a length in the 400-yard stakes.

Under jockey Brian Bell, Peighntmeadiamond overcame a slow start before surging to the front in the final strides for his first career stakes victory. Racing against a 6 mph tailwind, the four-year-old gelding stopped the clock in 19.980 seconds for a 99 speed index, returning $12.20 to win.

Jockey Brian Bell and trainer Joe Tavares celebrate after winning the Ontario Bred Maturity. © Clive Cohen

Peighntmeadiamond is owned by Richard Wincikaby and trained by Joe Tavares. Bred in Ontario by Richard Wincikaby and Katie Browne, he is by Peighnt Your Fate and out of Swingwiththering-TB by Where's the Ring-TB.

Making just his second start of the season, Peighntmeadiamond remains undefeated in 2026 after winning an allowance race in May. He has consistently performed well in stakes company, finishing second in the Alex Picov Memorial Futurity and Ontario Sires Stakes Derby, third in the Norman Picov Derby and Ontario Bred Derby, fourth in the Ajax Stallion Auction Futurity, and fifth in the QROOI Open Derby.

The $13,269 winner's share increased Peighntmeadiamond’s lifetime earnings to $71,858 from a record of four wins, four seconds, and three thirds in 17 starts.

Niigaanii fought on gamely after breaking on top but settled for second, beaten by three-quarters of a length. Ridden by Cassandra Jeschke for owner Rick Crispi and trainer Scott Reid, the black gelding was bred in Ontario by Sarah Wincikaby. The son of  Peighnt Your Fate is out of Sheza Fast Mom by Heza Fast Dash.

Niigaanii has yet to win a stakes race but now owns three black-type placings, including second in the Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity and third in the Alex Picov Memorial Futurity. The runner-up has compiled a record of seven wins, four seconds, and two thirds from 18 starts while earning $69,403.

Heavy 2-5 favorite Had To Be Fabulous finished another nose behind Niigaanii in a photo for third after breaking second but being unable to reach the top two late. Ismael Mosqueira rode the Canadian champion filly for owners Carol and Jaime Robertson and trainer Bryn Robertson.

Bred in Ontario by Carol and Jaime Robertson, she is by One Fabulous Eagle and out of Had To Be Fandango by Hadtobenuts. The six-time stakes winner owns an outstanding record of 14 wins and one third from 17 career starts with earnings of $138,745.

The Batmann finished fourth, followed by Queen Charlotte, Snow Moose, and Chasing Butterflies.

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