AQRA has announced its 2025–26 Quarter Horse racing schedule at Turf Paradise.

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By StallioneSearch

PHOENIX, AZ—SEPTEMBER 3, 202— The Arizona Quarter Racing & Breeders Association (AQRA) has announced its 2025–26 Quarter Horse racing schedule at Turf Paradise, setting the stage for a highly competitive season that will feature an array of futurities, derbies, and stakes races.

The new season officially opens on November 10, 2025, with preparations already underway as barns open for horsemen on October 1 and the main and training tracks become available beginning October 10.

Nomination blanks for AQRA stakes races, including the Turf Paradise Open Futurity, are now available at azqra.com, and several important deadlines are fast approaching.

Stall applications must be submitted by September 8, and the first payment for the AQRA Turf Paradise Open Futurity is due September 15. The initial payments for the AQRA Futurity and the AQRA Open Derby follow closely behind, with a deadline of October 1.

CLICK HERE for the futurity nomination blank.

CLICK HERE for the derby nomination blank.

Among the highlights of the upcoming schedule is the Wayne Brasher Memorial on November 17, offering $25,000 in added purse money for older runners at 300 yards. The AQRA Turf Paradise Open Futurity, featuring trials on November 29 and a final on December 22, carries a $20,000-added purse and will showcase some of the region’s most promising two-year-olds. The AQRA Futurity for Arizona-bred juveniles, offering $25,000 added, holds trials on December 3 and concludes with its final on December 26.

Racing continues through the winter with the Mike Hastings Memorial on December 27, the AQRA Turf Paradise Open Derby with trials on December 10 and a final on December 31, and the Mark Villa Maiden Stakes in January, featuring trials on January 6 and a final on January 26. Other prominent races on the calendar include the Allred Brothers Stakes on February 16, the Desert Classic Derby on February 21, and the AQRA Presidents Open Spring Derby, which begins with a trial on March 9 and concludes with its final on March 30.

The spring racing season will feature the AQRA Derby, with trials on April 1 and a final on April 25, as well as the Desert Classic Futurity and the AQRA Presidents Open Spring Futurity, both scheduled for late April and early May.

Combined, the 2025–26 AQRA stakes program offers more than a dozen high-profile races and over $200,000 in added purse money, providing ample opportunity for top Quarter Horse connections to showcase their runners.

The AQRA also announced updates to its Arizona Bred certification process, requiring that all horses be certified prior to entry. A new form has been introduced, and mares must be registered to certify their foals. The certification process carries a $10 fee per broodmare and can now be completed either in person or by mail through AQRA’s Phoenix office.

As part of its continued commitment to racing integrity, AQRA confirmed that all stakes, futurities, and derbies will undergo hair testing this season. Futurities and derbies will be tested on the day of entries once the overnight is released, while stakes races will be tested on race day. Awards will be presented after each event, but will be held pending clearance of test results.

For forms, deadlines, and further details, visit azqra.com or contact Krystal Bourdieu, Administrative Assistant, at 602-208-8250 or email: krystal@aqrbreeding.com; Loretta Brasher, Executive Director, at 602-625-0468 or email: lbaqra@hotmail.com.
 

AQRA 2025–26 Stakes Schedule — Turf Paradise