With the likely demise of Fraser Downs, the eyes of the horse racing community turn to Hastings Park as its last bastion. The lease for Hastings ends in May 2026, and there is serious potential for 133 years of horse racing at the site to come to an end.
Dec 062025
Horse Racing Nation- Ron Flatter – Timeline: Hastings closes with history of politics … and horses
I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle and end.
Gilda Radner
If you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, you are looking the wrong way.
Barry Commoner
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
Vancouver is Awesome – Glen Korstrom – Hastings Racecourse halts thoroughbred racing immediately
An optimist is a fellow who believes what’s going to be will be postponed.
Kin Hubbard
This is the way the world ends, not with a bang, but a whimper.
T. S. Eliot
Daily Hive – Rob Williams – Horse racing shut down permanently at Hastings Park in Vancouver
Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia.
Charlie Brown
One is never afraid of the unknown; one is afraid of the known coming to an end.
Jiddu Krishnamurti
Canadian Thoroughbred – Great Canadian Shuts Down Hastings Racecourse for Good
Lots of folks confuse bad management with destiny.
Kin Hubbard
TDN – Horse Racing To End At Hastings Racecourse
If all our agents would abridge their speeches one half, I am satisfied the effect produced would be much greater. The ‘art of leaving off’ at the right time, and in the right place, is one of the most difficult things to learn.
William Lloyd Garrison
Krieger, a member of the New Democratic Party, continued, “This decision has been made after careful analysis of the current economic impact and long term projections for the industry, which have shown that even with significant and ongoing government investment from casino-generated revenue, the industry is not sustainable because of a range of factors, primarily declining revenues and public participation and attendance at horse racing events.”
HorseRacingBC – Provincial Government Withdraws Slot Revenue from B.C. Horse Racing
Bloodhorse – Eric Mitchell – Hastings Park to Lose Slots Revenue Starting Jan. 31
Phil has an answer:
TH BC politicians chose anything else besides racing.
The honor for Outstanding Western Canadian Backstretch Worker is open to those who hold a valid Thoroughbred license in the provinces of Alberta,
British Columbia,and/or Manitoba.
Paulick Report – Jockey Club Of Canada Announces New Industry Award
It is obvious that we can no more explain a passion to a person who has never experienced it than we can explain light to the blind.
T. S. Eliot
Phil has a question:
How many horse-people across North America understand how tenuous the funding agreements with governments are as the economic nut tightens.
Casino.org – Mark Keast – Great Canadian Entertainment Finalizes Hastings Casino Sale
Canadian Soccer Daily – Don Garber: Whitecaps could leave Vancouver over ‘untenable’ BC Place deal
Football is now all about money. There are problems with the values within the game. This is sad because football is the most beautiful game. We can play it in the street. We can play it everywhere.
Johan Cruyff
Phil has a question:
Which will Vancouver politicians choose – thoroughbred racing or soccer.
Phil has a question:
Is it all over for Hastings Race Course.
Canadian Thoroughbred – HBPA BC – Hastings Casino Sold, Not Expected to Affect 2026 Racing
Phil has a question:
With nothing being mentioned about thoroughbred racing in the press release does that bode well for the future of Hastings Racecourse.
If the Normans are disciplined under a just and firm rule they are men of great valour, who…fight resolutely to overcome all enemies. But without such rule they tear each other to pieces and destroy themselves, for they hanker after rebellion, cherish sedition, and are ready for any treachery.
William the Conqueror
Canadian Thoroughbred – Nigel Reid – BC: Fraser Downs Closed, Hastings Review, 14 in Yearling Sale
When Whitecaps announced they were up for sale in November 2024, and have been on the block since, they sweetened the deal with the announcement that they were in high-level talks with the City of Vancouver to develop plans for a new stadium on the same site. They have since changed their plans from selling to attracting a new investor, as their confidence in making a new start at Hastings Park has grown.
Vancouver Sun – J.J. Adams – Is Fraser Downs closure the death knell for Horse Racing in B.C.?
Fraser Downs Closure Shocks BC Horse Racing Industry
Business In Vancouver doesn’t even have an article on Fraser Downs closing.
For Whom the Bell Tolls
No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend’s were.
Each man’s death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.
John Donne
Phil has a question:
With the Elements Casino in Surrey continuing to operate after the closure of the harness track are Great Canadian Entertainment and the BC governments loyalties with the horse racing industry or the $$$$$.
HRBC PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hastings Racecourse has had 200 horses make at least one start since the start of the meet in 2025.
Century Mile, not necessarily a beacon of prosperity in the thoroughbred industry, has had 420 horses make at least one start since the start of the meet in 2025.
Assiniboia Downs, the western Canadian leader in handle, has had 375 horses make at least one start since the start of the meet in 2025.
To this end, Henson said “everyone’s complying, doing what’s asked” to run a viable meet. But short of an as-yet-unattained financial infusion from the government, Hastings is a bit strapped for cash. And cash is king, in more ways than one.
DRF – Mike Seely – Hastings opens 2025 meet with shrinking horse population, new challenges
Phil has a question:
With the horse population declining precipitously and all the external pressures on the current site how long can Hastings Race Course hold on.
The Province – Nigel Reid – Far from a relic, Hastings Racecourse can thrive with proper support
Phil has a question:
Whatever happened to the project to daylight Hastings Creek.
The potential deal between the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Great Canadian Gaming Corporation does not include horse racing.
The deal doesn’t include the racetrack beside the casino, Thomas said: “It has nothing to do with the horse racing.”
But it’s unclear what the future will hold for horse racing at Hastings Park, which has hosted the sport since the late 19th century.
Vancouver Sun – Dan Fumano – Tsleil-Waututh Nation reveals plan to buy casino at Hastings Park
Canadian Thoroughbred – Nigel Reid – Great Canadian to Sell Hastings Casino and Property?
Phil has a question:
Where does the track go if lease negotiations are not successful.
Daily Hive – Kenneth Chan – First Nation seeks to buy Hastings Racecourse & Casino business
CBC News – Tsleil-Waututh working toward purchase of Hastings Racecourse casino in Vancouver
Breaker News – Bob Mackin – Exclusive: Whitecaps eyeing Hastings Racecourse for new stadium
Phil M. Stockmen
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CANADIAN RACING ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS 2025 YEAR END REVIEW
Horse racing demise for both breeds in BC, hopefully will lead to welcome stall mats being incorporated to strengthen your horse populations.
HRA GRADE C
Per 2025-2027 business plan required under section 10.1 of hra act,under responsible growth,subsection business priorities” in 2027,increase the horse populations for all breds to race 4 days per week . Race dates for 2026 show the status quo, 42 mile and 14 downs for 56 in total.
Trackgate 37k fine for century mile for failure to conduct business in a proper manner, without the investigation report and buried in harness rulings.
The toews 5 yr racino funding extension on May 31/2022 ,4 days before he resigned as finance minister to unsuccessfully run for ucp premier. The 50% allocation being nonreviewable ,take off the blinkers and smell the road apples. UCP value for dollar consultations per all ministries budgets, what will the ides of March bring, with the expiry of the original 10 yr agreement.
Revenue growth for hra,was 36 jockey rulings for excessive whipping and numerous missuse of the lips.
CENTURY GRADE F
CENTURY drowning in debt 338.7 million in short term bank loans and 712 million in sale lease back obligations for over 1 billion USA in debt. Their strategic review of corporate assets have resulted in no sales to reduce debt.
CENTURY 3rd qtr financials showed a 5.8% increase in slots coinage mostly from st.albert and downs operations.
OVERALL GRADE D
HRA budget is based on a 50% racino allocation, any % reduction will have a major impact on the entire horse racing industry.