After 133 years of operation, the final horse race took place at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, British Columbia. Great Canadian Entertainment Corporation, which manages both the racetrack and the on-site casino, announced the closure in a brief statement released on Friday evening.
Wayne Odegaard, regional vice president of Great Canadian Entertainment, expressed that the decision was very challenging due to Hastings Racecourse’s long-standing significance in the community and the province’s horse racing scene. However, the closure was driven purely by financial considerations, as continuing horse racing at Hastings was no longer economically viable. Odegaard also thanked the devoted staff, race participants, and supporters for their ongoing dedication and patronage.
Going forward, the focus will be on assisting affected employees during this transition and supporting racing participants as they explore future options for thoroughbred racing in the region.
This announcement followed a decision by British Columbia’s Minister of Public Safety and Attorney General, Nina Krieger, to end the slot machine revenue stream that had been funding Hastings Racecourse since 2008. Krieger explained that after a thorough review of the economic outlook, it was clear the industry could not be sustained despite government investments, due to factors like declining revenues, reduced race attendance, and waning public engagement.
Originally known as Exhibition Park, Hastings Racecourse opened on city-owned Pacific National Exhibition grounds in 1892. Recently, it faced challenges such as a shrinking horse population and dwindling fan interest. The 2025 live racing season concluded in October with only three event days, averaging just over five horses per race. One event featured six races with a total of only 24 horses.
There are ongoing discussions about repurposing the racetrack area as a stadium for the Vancouver Whitecaps, a Major League Soccer team.
This article was first published by Paulick Report on December 6, 2025, within the News section.
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Fan Take: The closure of Hastings Racecourse marks the end of an era for horse racing in British Columbia, highlighting serious challenges the sport faces in attracting fans and participants. This news matters because it signals a critical moment for the industry to innovate and find new ways to engage audiences before more historic venues face similar fates.
