Two-time Champion Ivory in a commanding victory in the $37,302(US) Alex Picov Memorial Championship at Ajax Downs.

© Clive Cohen / New Image Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

AJAX, ONT—OCTOBER 13, 2025—Veteran runner Had To Be Ivory added another highlight to his storied career Monday afternoon with a commanding victory in the $37,302(US) Alex Picov Memorial Championship at Ajax Downs.

The 10-year-old bay gelding by leading sire Ivory James out of Had To Be Fandango, by Hadtobenuts, broke alertly under jockey Ismael Mosqueira and never looked back, drawing away to win by a length and a half in 21.613 seconds for 440 yards.

The effort earned a 98 speed index over a fast track, run into a 10 mph crosswind.

The winning connections of Had To Be Ivory accept the Alex Picov Memorial Championship stakes trophy.
© Clive Cohen / New Image Media

Trained by Bryn Robertson for owners and breeders Carol and Jaime Robertson, Had To Be Ivory collected $16,579(US) for the victory, pushing his career earnings to $409,200.

The multiple stakes winner and two-time AQHA Canadian Racing Champion has now won 33 of 43 career starts, reaffirming his reputation as one of the finest Quarter Horses ever to compete in Canada.

Finishing second was Had To Be Relentless, a 7-year-old bay gelding by Hes Relentless out of Had to Be Fandango, making him a half-brother to the winner.

Also bred, owned, and trained by Carol and Jaime Robertson, Had To Be Relentless closed impressively under jockey Ramiro Castillo to secure the runner-up spot and earned $8,289(US) for his strong performance. A stakes winner, he has won 11 of 44 starts and banked $165,793

Chasing Butterflies, a 4-year-old brown gelding by Dashair out of This Girl Is Wild, by Brookstone Bay, finished third after overcoming a slow start. Bred and owned by Howard Walton, and trained by Richard Kennedy, the Ontario-bred gelding was ridden by Alexis Sanchez and earned $4,145(US) for his determined effort against older competition. Also a stakes winner, Chasing Butterfiles has earned $70,399.

Pari-mutuel payoffs included $2.30 to win, $2.10 to place, and $2.10 to show for Had To Be Ivory; $3.50 to place and $2.70 to show for Had To Be Relentless; and $5.80 to show for Chasing Butterflies.

Following the top three finishers were Queen Charlotte, Had to Be Ivy, and Relentless Betty in that order.

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