2026 Stakes Program

1. Open Derby $30,000 Added

Ajax Downs Distance For 3-year-old Quarter Horses
Trials: May 6th Final: May 20th 300 YARDS
Nomination Payment: April 1st: Free
To Sustain: April 15: – $150 – April 25: $150
Time of Entry: if you have never nominated (late): $3,000

2. Unclassified NB 79 Maturity $30,000 Added for 3-year old and up Quarter Horses that have never had a speed index better than a 79 as nomination date

Ajax Downs Distance: 330 YARDS
Trials: June 3rd Final: June 21st
Nomination Payment: April 25th: Free
To Sustain May 1st: $100 – May 15th $200
Time of Entry: If you have never nominated (late) $3,000

3. Ontario Bred Derby $55,000 Added

Ajax Downs For 3-year-old Ontario Bred horses as recorded with the Program Registry.
Trials: June 10th Final: July 1st – 300 Yards
Nomination Payment – April 25th: Free
To Sustain: May 1st: $100 – May 15th: $200 – June 1st: $250
Time of Entry: if you have never nominated (late): $5,500

4. Norman Picov Maturity $25,000 by QHRIDP, $5,000 by Picov Family

Ajax Downs For 4-year-old and up Quarter Horses
Trials: none Final: June 21st – 300 YARDS
Nomination Payment: April 25th: Free
To Sustain: May 15th: $100 – June 15th $200
Time of Entry: if you have never nominated (late): $3,000

5. Ontario Bred Futurity ($55,000 Added by QHRIPD)

For 2-year-old Ontario Bred horses as recorded with the Program Registry OR 2-year-olds sired by Stallions that participated in the 2023 Stallion Auction.
Trials: July 8th Final: July 29th – 300 YARDS
Nomination Payment: April 25th: Free
To Sustain: May 15th – $100 – June 15th $200 – July 1st $250
Time of Entry: If you have never nominated (late) $5,500

6. Ontario Bred Maturity $40,000 Added

Ajax Downs For 4-year-old and up Ontario Bred horses as recorded with the Program Registry.
Trials: none Final: July 8th – 400 YARDS
Nomination Payment: April 25th: Free
To Sustain: June 1st: $150 – July 1st: $250
Time of Entry: if you have never nominated (late): $4,000

7. Princess Derby $50,000 Added

Ajax Downs For 3-year-old Quarter Horses, Fillies.
Trials: July 19th Final: August 5th – 350 YARDS
Nomination Payment: April 25th: Free
To Sustain: June 1st: $100 – June 15th $150 – July 1st $250
Time of Entry: If you have never nominated (late): $5,000

8. Princess Maturity $30,000 ADDED

Ajax Downs For 4-year-old and up Quarter Horses Mares. The 10 Highest Money Earned will be eligible for finals
Final: August 12th – 400 YARDS
Nomination Payment: April 25th: Free
To Sustain: July 1st $100 – August 1st $200
Time of Entry: if you have never nominated (late): $3,000

9. Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity ($55,000 by QHRIPD)

Ajax Downs For 2-year-old Quarter Horses, Ontario Sired as recorded with the Program Registry.
Trials: August 19th Final: September 9th – 330 YARDS
Nomination Payment: April 25th: Free
To Sustain: June 15th $100 – July 15th: $200 – August 1st: $250
Time of Entry: If you have never nominated (late) $5,500

10. Norman Picov Derby $50,000 by QHRIDP, $5,000 by Picov Family Added

Ajax Downs for 3-year-old Quarter Horses
Trials: August 19th Final: September 9th – 400 YARDS
Nomination Payment: April 25th Free
To Sustain: June 15th $100 – July 15th $200 – August 1st $250
Time of Entry: If you have never nominated (late) $5,000

11. Ontario Sires Stakes Maturity $40,000 Added by QHRIDP

Ajax Downs for 4-year-old Quarter Horses, Ontario Sired, as recorded with the Program Registry.  The 10 Highest Money Earned will be eligible for final
Trials: None Final: August 30th – 330 YARDS
Nomination Payment: April 25th Free
To Sustain: June 15th $100 – July 15th $100 – August 15th $200
Time of Entry: If you have never nominated (late) $4,000

12. Ontario Sires Stakes Derby $55,000 Added

Ajax Downs for 3-year-old Quarter Horses, Ontario Sired, as recorded with the Program Registry
Trials: September 23rd Final: October 12th – 350 YARDS
Nomination Payment: April 25th Free
To Sustain: July 15th $100 – August 15th: $200 – September 15th: $250
Time of Entry: If you have never nominated (late) $5,500

13. Alex Picov Memorial Futurity $55,000 by QHRIDP $5,000 by Picov Family Added

Ajax Downs for 2-year-old Quarter Horses
Trials: September 30th Final: October 21st – 400 YARDS
Nomination Payment: April 25th Free
To Sustain: July 15th: $150 – August 15th $200 – September 15th $250
Time of Entry: If you have never nominated (late) $6,000

14. Alex Picov Memorial Championship $35,000 by QHRIDP $5,000 by Picov Family Added

Ajax Downs for 3-year-olds and up Quarter Horses

  1. Quarter horses that have made at least three starts in Ontario in 2025
  2. Preference is given to horses that have won a Derby or Maturity in 2025
  3. The Remaining entries will be determined by lifetime earnings until 10 Elibible entries have been received

Trials: None Final: October 12th – 440 YARDS
Nomination Payment: April 25th Free
To Sustain: July 1st: $50 – September 1st: $100 October 1st: $250
Time of Entry: If you have never nominated (late) $4,000