The Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Inc. (QROOI) announced Friday that a tentative deal has been reached to continue quarter horse racing at Ajax Downs in 2013.

The Ontario Racing Commission board approved the deal Friday and is now tasked with developing what the racing and breeding program will look like in 2013.

A news release from the QROOI noted that the OMAFRA Transition Panel has been instrumental in completing the agreement and the QROOI looks forward to working with them as they implement the balance of their recommendations.

"We would like to thank all those that worked, lobbyed and supported quarter horse racing during the last year," said QROOI President Bob Broadstock in the release. "It has been an extremely difficult time for the industry and this deal only provides temporary relief. We will all need to continue to work with government to ensure that quarter horse racing has a bright future in Ontario."

Broadstock stated that the QROOI will be working closely with Ajax Downs and the Ontario Racing Commission in the coming days to develop the structure of the program as it moves forward to sustainability.

“We are thrilled to be able to continue the tradition of providing Canada’s premier quarter horse meet at Ajax Downs for 2013,” said Nick Coukos, V.P. of Racing at Ajax Downs, in a release issued Saturday. “We have a substantial investment in our new state of the art racing facility and we are pleased that we will be able to continue to provide our growing customer base with racing’s most exciting breed."

It is expected that there will be 30 days of quarter horse racing and a reduced program in 2013.

"It will be the job of our industry to focus on market development and producing the best racing product available," said Broadstock.

"I would like to thank the Picov Family for their continued support for quarter horse racing," he added. "Both Nick Coukos and Emilio Trotta have worked tirelessly to ensure the future of the sport."

"We want to personally thank the QROOI and its President Bob Broadstock, as well as the OMAFRA panel, lead by the Honourable John Snobelen, for the work and dedication they have endured to get quarter horse racing back to where it belongs in Ajax, Ontario," said Coukos.

A Quarter Horse Discussion meeting has been scheduled for Saturday, April 13 at Ajax Downs.

(With files from QROOI and Ajax Downs)