Vancouver: Hastings Racecourse to close after 130 years of horse racing in B.C.
Summary
Hastings Racecourse, the last operating thoroughbred track in British Columbia, has closed immediately after more than 130 years. Great Canadian Entertainment announced the cessation of thoroughbred racing, citing economic uncertainty and the province’s decision to end slot machine revenue sharing that the industry relied on. The track, in operation since 1889 and leased by Great Canadian from the City of Vancouver since 2004, traditionally ran a season from April to October and currently has no horses stabled. The company says it will support impacted team members and racing participants while options for the future are assessed. Provincial officials referenced an economic impact assessment that raised concerns about the sport’s financial sustainability.
Key Points
- Hastings Racecourse, B.C.’s last thoroughbred track, has closed immediately after 130+ years.
- Great Canadian Entertainment attributed the decision to economic uncertainty and the end of slot revenue sharing by the provincial government.
- No horses are currently stabled at the track; the racing season typically ran April–October.
- The provincial government cited an economic impact assessment and broader financial sustainability concerns for horse racing in B.C.
- Great Canadian says it will support affected employees and racing participants through the transition.
Context and relevance
The closure signals the end of an era for horse racing in British Columbia and has ripple effects across the local racing ecosystem — breeders, trainers, jockeys and related employment. It illustrates how policy changes to gaming revenue sharing can directly reshape sports and entertainment industries, and mirrors pressures seen in other jurisdictions where land-based racing struggles to remain financially viable.
Author style
Punchy: this is more than a local closure — it’s a major shift for B.C.’s racing industry with clear economic and cultural consequences. If you follow Canadian gaming, regional business or sports policy, read the detail.
Why should I read this?
Because a 130-year institution has shut abruptly and that matters — for jobs, for the racing supply chain and for local culture. We’ve read the piece so you don’t have to: here are the who, why and what happens next in plain terms.
