Hastings Racing Club

~ Attention BC Horse Racing Community ~

Please join the HBPA-BC for an important virtual information session on Wednesday, July 8 at 7:00 p.m. PT.

The HBPA-BC will provide an update on the work underway to secure racing in BC for 2026 and beyond, introduce the Pacific Thoroughbred Racing Association (PTRA), its Board Members and role in rebuilding the industry. We'll also outline next steps how everyone can stay informed, engaged, and help move our industry forward.

If you have questions you’d like us to address during the session, please email [email protected] in advance, and we’ll do our best to answer them live.

https://facebook.com/events/s/hbpa-bc-virtual-information-se/1507152037559186/

Please copy and share this post widely. The more people who are informed and involved, the stronger our voice will be as we work together to secure the future of racing in BC.

📸 - Michael Bye

Today is an especially sad day for us.

On this day every year, scores of Vancouverites would meet at Hastings Racecourse to celebrate the start of our new racing season and take in the "the most exciting two minutes in sport" - the Kentucky Derby.

This year, our racetrack sits empty, waiting to open its doors again and reclaim it's spot as one of the most beloved sporting venues in Vancouver. As the Whitecaps stadium PNE redevelopment appears more and more improbable by the day, the soccer community fight their own battle with government and ownership.

Between BC horse racing and the Whitecaps, almost 200 years of sporting heritage is at grave risk. This heritage should not be dismissed.

It's not too late for local and Provincial politicians to work to save BC's longest running sport and lean on Vancouver's proud sporting history to build its future.

“The fact that none of the stakeholders, including our union, was consulted before the funding cut was announced is extremely frustrating and insulting. It shows a tremendous lack of consideration for the people who have spent their lives invested in the horse racing community and the local community that benefits from the industry.” https://moveuptogether.ca/the-latest/moveup-calls-on-provincial-government-to-extend-slot-revenue-stream-to-prevent-devastating-job-losses-at-hastings-racecourse/

Our thoughts are with the 100+ MoveUp members who are deeply impacted by the shock decision by the BC Government to renegade on the long standing arrangement for slot machines at Hastings Racecourse.

As the American owned track operator of Hastings Racecourse announces that they have no interest in continuing to run horse racing, the BC horse racing community has been left on it's own to fight to save an industry that has supported both urban and rural BC for over 130 years.

Your continued support is deeply appreciated to prevent an unnecessary hammer blow to BC's sporting heritage - please see the link below regarding how you can help!

https://horseracingbc.substack.com/p/help-us-save-racing-in-bc

MoveUP calls on provincial government to extend slot-revenue stream to prevent devastating job losses at Hastings Racecourse – MoveUP An urgent response from government is needed with Hastings announcing the cessation of horse racing at the facility.

URGENT - HELP US TO SAVE HORSE RACING IN BC!

A huge thank you to all of our Hastings Racing Club members who have been busy this week writing letters to their MLA to question the shocking decision by the BC Government to strip horse racing of the share of slot machine revenue at Hastings Racecourse casino. The impact of this decision will not only be felt in Vancouver, but across the whole of BC as breeders, vets, hay suppliers and more feel the economic brunt of this brutal decision.

This snap decision has been made with a mere two months of notice over the Christmas period, leaving hundreds of people with little time to organize a contingency plan to save their livelihoods, their industry and their sport.

We are calling on all racing fans to help protect 130+ years of racing heritage in Vancouver by contacting your local elected officials.

Vancouver has already lost so many of the wonderful affordable and family friendly things that helped make it the City it is today - please don't let Hastings Racecourse & Casino become another casualty.

Full details on how you can help can be found here - https://horseracingbc.substack.com/p/help-us-save-racing-in-bc