Hastings Race Track
Hastings race track is a 115 year old thoroughbred horse track in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Boasting amazing mountain and waterfront racing views, Hastings is one of North America's most picturesque race tracks.
Each year, live thoroughbred racing is held from April through November.
Throughout its illustrious history, Hastings race track has hosted prestigious stakes events year after year. These include the British Columbia Derby, the Sadie Diamond Futurity, Jack Diamond Futurity, Ballerina Breeders Cup and the BC Breeders Cup Oaks.
Hastings Race Track Facts
| Main Track | : | Five furlongs, 208 feet, oval |
| Distance from last turn to finish line | : | 513 feet |
Track Records
| DIST | HORSE | AGE | WGT | TIME | DATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abt 3-1/2 f | Turn To Knight | 2 | 117 | :41 | May 27, 1990 |
| 3-1/2 f. | Smokin Finish | 2 | 115 | :35 | Jul 2, 2000 |
| Abt 6 f. | Count the Green | 6 | 123 | 1:10 | Apr 17, 1971 |
| 6-1/2 f. | Torque Converter | 6 | 116 | 1:15 | Jul 1, 1996 |
| 1 m, 70 y | Westbury Road | 6 | 124 | 1:40 | Jul 27, 1967 |
| 1-1/14 m | Coral Isle | 5 | 119 | 1:42 | Jul 28, 1973 |
| 1-1/8 m | Artic Son | 5 | 117 | 1:46 | Aug 3, 1998 |
| Abt 1-1/2 m | Golden Gentry | 5 | 114 | 2:29 | Sep 23, 1987 |
| 1-1/2 m | Lucky Son | 4 | 117 | 2:29 | Aug 25, 1995 |
| 1-11/16 m | Glen Gower | 4 | 114 | 2:51 | Sep 9, 1987 |
History of Hastings Race Track
Prior to moving to the east side of the city of Vancouver, horses raced downtown near a site at the corner of Howe and Nelson Streets where the old Hotel Vancouver was located.
In the early 1890s, a few horsemen formed the B.C. Jockey Club and started clearing land at the site of what was to become the present day Hastings race track. The track, originally known as East Park, encompassed 15 acres and was 19 feet higher at one end than the other and the infield was cluttered with charred stumps and large boulders.
The Vancouver Exhibition held its first fair on the adjoining land in 1910 and horse racing was its opening event.
In 1942, all racing from the two other tracks in the Vancouver area, Brighouse and Lansdowne, were transferred to Hastings racecourse due to wartime gas rationing.
In 1965, a new grandstand was put up and the racing surface was renovated as the track realized increased mutuel handle. In 1968, lights were installed for night racing, and in 1976, the grandstand was further expanded.
The B.C. Jockey Club operated quite successfully until 1993, when the government did not renew its lease. The New Democratic Party (NDP) government introduced a new racing act that created the Pacific Racing Association (PRA) to operate Hastings Park racecourse.
The PRA soon found itself in a cash crunch and racing in the province was in a downward spiral. Woodbine Entertainment Group subsequently took over operations of Hastings race track on April 30, 2002.
In March 2004 Great Canadian Casinos and Wall Financial Corporation, representing local ownership, entered into an agreement to acquire Hastings Entertainment Inc. and assumed control of operations on April 8, 2004.