Hastings off-season issues · 28.01.10

Regular patrons at Hastings might remember that the final day of the 2009 racing season was cancelled. The official reason given was “the economy and the ongoing (North American) decline in wagering”. I actually have it on good authority that Hastings simply ran out of money for purses — this after purses were already cut part-way through the season.

For 2010, look out for further cuts to the purse structure — in part due to the economy, but also due to the loss of revenue resulting from the closure of Hastings during the Olympics. I wouldn’t be surprised if the racing calendar itself is cut back from 2009’s 76 75 days — could we see the end of the “Friday Night Live” experiment?

All this is happening just as it appears that Thoroughbred racing in Vancouver is undergoing a modest recovery. Until last year, attendance and handle were up; Friday night racing appeared to be gaining popularity, especially among young people looking for a fun time; and both purse levels and race days had increased. Great Canadian Gaming Corporation CEO Ross McLeod is himself a horse-owner, with a stake in the health of the sport in BC. From all accounts Director of Racing Paul Ryneveld has also been a positive influence, not afraid to shake things up with new procedures for horsemen, increased fan access (eg. tours), innovative race conditions, and being willing to listen to new ideas.

On the other hand, it appears that Ryneveld is working against a corporate culture that favours the casino side of Hastings’ operations at the expense of the racing side. When the marketing manager, in response to suggestions for programmes to educate new racing fans about wagering, handicapping, etc., says “That’s not my job”, you have to wonder how serious GCGC is about promoting horse racing — or even keeping it going if it comes economic crunch-time.

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What do you think?

  1. Agreed..and here we are at the end of January..no schedule for 2010 up…no newletters since December..no press releases since December…what is going on?

    — Dave · Jan 30, 01:02 PM · #

  2. NOTHING is going on. They are MILKING the revenue of the casino as much as possible. You see this nationally as well with little Ajax Downs having purses of 10-15,000 while the total bet on the races, all day, is barely that. The casinos are the bloated moneybag for the races.

    The handle for Fraser has become pitiful as well.

    — Dr. T. Yatcak · Feb 1, 02:18 PM · #

  3. I notice BRIS has Hastings dates down as April 24-Oct.17. Seems plausible..but that’s a bit of an early ending. Anyone know what’s happening with the race dates..and will they still have Friday racing June-Sept?

    — Dave · Feb 3, 07:56 PM · #

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