Hastings Racecourse & Casino announced on Friday, Dec. 5 that Thoroughbred racing will cease at the Vancouver, B.C. facility, effective immediately.
Hastings has conducted Thoroughbred racing since 1889 and the venue features a five-furlong racing surface, stabling for several hundred horses and other backstretch facilities. Historically, Thoroughbred racing has been conducted between the months of April and October; as such, there are no horses currently stabled at Hastings.
Great Canadian Entertainment, which leases the facility from the City of Vancouver, has operated Hastings since 2004 with casino operations commencing in 2008. Operation of the casino and simulcast racebook at the facility will not be impacted.
“This was an extremely difficult decision, especially given the historical legacy of Hastings Racecourse in the local community and its importance to the province’s racing industry,” stated Wayne Odegard, Regional Vice President, Great Canadian Entertainment. “Unfortunately, this is strictly a business decision based on a lack of economic feasibility to move forward with another season of horse racing at Hastings. We are incredibly thankful for our dedicated team members, racing participants and fan base for their support and patronage for so many years.
“Our focus moving forward will be supporting our impacted team members through this transition, as well as racing participants as they assess their options for Thoroughbred racing in the province in the future,” concluded Odegard.
Last week, the provincial government revealed that the support racing received from expanded gaming will cease in 2026.
This past summer, Great Canadian Entertainment also announced the abrupt closure of British Columbia's only harness racing track, Fraser Downs, when the City of Surrey exercised its land recapture option under its lease agreement and terminated the lease for the racetrack property. The casino portion, Elements Casino Surrey, continues to operate.
(Standardbred Canada with files from Hastings Racecourse)