Three-year-old Quarter Horse fillies seeking to become the next 'princess' compete in two Trials for the $50,000-added Princess Derby on Sunday, July 19 at Ajax Downs.

© Ajax Downs

By Jennifer Morrison

AJAX, CAN–JULY 16, 2026–Three-year-old Quarter Horse fillies seeking to become the next 'princess' compete in two Trials for the $50,000-added Princess Derby on Sunday, July 19 at Ajax Downs. The afternoon of racing, with a first race post time of 12:30 p.m. Is a ticketed event (you must purchase a ticket to get into the track) which includes a performance of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Musical Ride following the eight-race card.

There is a growing 50-50 draw in support of the United Way as part of the afternoon and you can get your tickets by visiting https://rafflebox.ca/raffle/uw-durham/ plus raffles, treats and prizes for fans on site.

The Quarter Horses will be putting on their own show during an exciting race card, and the Princess Derby Trials are races 3 and 4. The season's top filly so far, Ontario-bred Chillin With Peeps, will be tough to beat in the second Trial. The talented sorrel filly by Rushago is coming off a strong win over the boys in the $59,000 Ontario Bred Derby on July 1, in which she posted an impressive 99 speed index.
Chillin With Peeps is owned, trained and bred by Chantel Bourgeois of Enniskillen. Cassandra Jeschke is the rider.

The first Princess Derby Trial includes Joe Tavares' Shake Em Alice, who was fifth behind Chillin For Peeps in the Ontario Bred Derby and John Wilson's Keep Them In Corona, recently a troubled fourth in the Unclassified Stakes.

A symbol of tradition, honour, and pride, the RCMP Musical Ride is a Canadian icon recognized at home and abroad. The troop of up to 32 riders, who are all police officers, and their horses perform intricate formations and drills set to music. These movements demand the utmost control, timing, and coordination.

Check out the RCMP Musical Ride website for more on the horses and the program:
https://rcmp.ca/en/corporate-information/musical-ride

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