Press Release:

All horses entering the September 24, $250,000 Albuquerque Fall Quarter Horse Championship will be required to have a negative hair test.

The negative test results will need to be submitted to the New Mexico Racing Commission by September 8. Nominations for the 440-yard stakes, which will for the first time in its three-year history offer its winner a berth in the December 16, $750,000 Champion of Champions (G1) at Los Alamitos Racecourse in California, close on Friday, September 15, at 5 p.m. (MDT).

“We know that the vast majority of our horsemen play by the rules,” said Downs director of racing Don Cook. “We’re implementing this policy for our major Quarter Horse race to ensure that everyone will be playing on a level field.

“Our Fall Championship has quickly become one of Quarter Horse racing’s major stakes races, and we’re beyond pleased that we’re able to offer the winner of this year’s race a berth in the Champion of Champions,” he added. “Our goal is to eventually get this race elevated to Grade 1 status.”

Started in 1972, the Champion of Champions is Quarter Horse racing’s richest and most prestigious race for older horses, and its past winners include several AQHA world champions. The first running of the Albuquerque Fall Championship in 2015 was won by JRC Callas First, who at the time was the reigning AQHA world champion.

All horsemen needing a test kit should contact Leesa Johnson at the New Mexico Racing Commission at (915) 309-3433. Ms. Johnson will send out a test kit and the instructions on where to send the sample.