The class of 2018 in Quarter Horse racing in Ontario was honoured Feb. 16 at Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Awards Banquet at Ajax Convention Centre.
Rod Phillips, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks and MPP for Ajax, spoke to a packed house about a bright future for Quarter Horse racing and was joined by Councilors Marilyn Crawford, Sterling Lee and Rob Tyler Morin.
For the third consecutive year, Country Boy 123 was named Ajax Downs' Horse of the Year as the now 6-year-old powerhouse went 7 for 7 in Ontario, winning three stakes races including the Alex Picov Memorial Championship. Owned and trained by Ruth Barbour of Hillsburgh, ON, Country Boy 123 set two track records during the season and was also named High Point Aged Male horse and Distance series Champion.
"It was such an exciting season, he really gave us his all," said Barbour, who bought Country Boy 123 for $7,200 (US) from an Oklahoma yearling sale five years ago. Barbour reported that Country Boy 123 is getting ready to gear up for another season.
Jockey Chelsey Willick won her first ever High Point Jockey title collecting 330 QROOI points from 26 wins in 176 mounts.
Perennial leading trainer Joe Tavares was once again High Point Trainer with 380 points and 31 wins while his wife Christine picked up another High Point Owner title with 282 points.
Ajax Downs will celebrate its 50th year of Quarter Horse racing in 2019 with plenty of special events. The season begins on Sunday, May 5, 2019. Visit
Ajax Downs Live Quarter Horse Racing - Ajax Ontario for more news.
Award Winners - 2018 Quarter Horse Racing Owners of Ontario, Inc.
HIGH POINT JOCKEY – CHELSEY WILLICK – 330 Points
26 wins, $342,733
RUNNER-UP: CORY SPATARO – 325 points
41 wins, $446,026
HIGH POINT TRAINER - JOE TAVARES - 380 POINTS
31 wins, $396,032
RUNNER-UP - JASON PASCOE – 321 POINTS
37 wins, $423,000
HIGH POINT OWNER/TRAINER – CAROL MCINTYRE – 91 points
47 – 7 -10 – 7 $86,000
RUNNER-UP DARLENE BALLIS-HUNDERUP – 76 points
96 2-8-14
HIGH POINT OWNER – CHRISTINE TAVARES - 282 POINTS
157 starts, 23-25-29 $288,000
RUNNER-UP - MILENA KWIECIEN – 254 POINTS
100 starts, 22 wins, $306,000
HIGH POINT ONTARIO BREEDER – CHRISTINE TAVARES – 196 POINTS
18 wins, $220,000
RUNNER-UP - HESTE SPORT INC. - 133 points
10 wins
HIGH POINT 2-YEAR-OLDS MALE
SPY FOR THE SENATE (Louisiana Senator) – 28 points - won the Alex Picov Futurity, 3 wins in 5 Ajax starts, $54,000
Owner: Milena Kwicien/Trainer Jason Pascoe
RUNNER-UP - Carlos the Second, owned and bred in Ontario by Heste Sport, 15 points; 2nd in the Ontario Sires Futurity; trained by Jason Pascoe
2-YEAR-OLD FILLY
STRIPPER DUST – (Louisiana Senator) 24 points; won Ajax Bonus Futurity, 2nd Alex Picov Futurity to Spy; Owner: Milena Kwiecien. Trainer: Jason Pascoe
RUNNER-UP – Shake It Twice (Look at Magics Form); homebred for Chantelle Bourgeois; 14 points, 3rd OS Futurity
3-YEAR-OLD MALE
CARNEROS – (Prospect to the Top) 33 points 4 wins at Ajax, 2nd in the Picov derby to Had to be Ivory; 33 points. Owner: Milena Kwiecien. Trainer Jason Pascoe
Runners-up– Had to Be Ivory - 25 points won 2 stakes in 4 strats including the Picov Derby. Owned and bred by Carol and Jaime Robertson, trained by Bryn Roberston
Bending Over (Ontario bred and sired) Junos Back; 25 points; winner and 8 placings in 12 starts for Christine Tavares and Joe Tavares;
SW Hail to the King – 2 wins at Ajax: owned by Braynne Sheppard and Amelie Aubut; trained by Jason Pascoe
3-YEAR-OLD FILLY
AJ CHICK IN 15 – (Apollitical Jess) – 28 points; 3rd Picov Derby 2 wins; Owned Milena Kwiecien. Trainer Jason Pascoe (team includes Bryanne and Mario)
Runner-up – Wont Bac Down - 24 points – Ontario homebred for Marko Naterer. Trained by Angelle Carter. 2 wins in 9 starts (First Down Straw)
AGED MALE
COUNTRY BOY 123 (Country Chicks Man) - 47 points - 7 for 7 at home; Alex Picov Memorial, All Canadian and Picov Maturity; Owner/trainer Ruth Barbour – Cory Spataro
Runner-up - COUNTRYS COMIN BAC – Ralph Pearson owner/trainer; 2 wins and 2nd in the All Canadian and 3rd in the Alex Picov Memorial; bred by Marko Naterer – 30 points
AGED MARE
FISHIN FOR A CORONA – 29 points, from 2 wins for Picov Cattle Co. And trainer Joe Tavares; wonderfully consistent
Runner-up – Night Fishn, homebred for Mary Schrama by Sugarman Perry; 23 points; 3 wins; won Ontario Sires Stakes Maturity; trained by Greg Watson
JAYSON SLOANE – GEORGE EGERTON MEMORIAL AWARD
CAROL AND WAYNE PROCTOR - KEN MUCKLESTONE AWARD
*
PHOTO - RUTH BARBOUR (blue) and partner DOUG JACKSON ( second from left) and jockey CORY SPATARO accept the Horse of the Year Trophy for COUNTRY BOY 123 from QROOI president Bob Broadstock (far left) and the QROOI's Monique McNamara.
More Top Racing Headlines