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Vancouver Sun
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Vancouver's beautiful people get suited and booted for a day at the races on Saturday
Vancouver's cool set descends on Hastings Park on Saturday for the 15th annual Cup Day, a gathering described by organizers as, 'A day at the races, where old-world elegance meets a debaucherous day party'. More than 10,000 people are expected to attend and, if the weather holds, it promises to be an afternoon more akin to an Ibiza day club than a celebration of the 'Sport of Kings' — although there will be hats aplenty and some of the smartest-dressed folks seen this side of Royal Ascot, as Vancouver's party people vie for the $1,000 on offer for the best dressed person. There are also plenty of food and drink options, including the return of the Cocktail Jockey, a 1970s-inspired pop-up speakeasy, melding top mixologists with classic DJ sets. Music plays a central role in making sure Cup Day goes with a swing. This year sees British hitmaker Jonas Blue headline with a live DJ set. Edmonton party band, Brasstactics and Vancouver powerhouse DJ duo, Common People, are also on the bill. Dealing with a rise in decibels apart, it's business as usual for Hastings' horsemen and women, although there remains some irony that B.C.'s racing industry will, over and above its normal cut of the betting revenue, earn nothing from the event. B.C. racing's relatively small cut of that turnover is significantly larger on the portion bet on-track (approximately 16 per cent on track, versus just three per cent of 'offtrack' money bet on Hastings), so the more partygoers bet on the tarmac at Hastings, the more the racing industry benefits. However, while the cash boost is certainly welcome on an afternoon that traditionally generates one of the year's biggest betting 'handles' of the Hastings' season, it is another perfect example of how the sport, by the way it is structured in B.C., is not the master of its own destiny. Cup Day is run by a marketing company which pays track operators Great Canadian for the privilege of hosting what is essentially a private event. The people and horses putting on the show, receive nothing extra. 'It's frustrating,' admits Gary Johnson, chair of Thoroughbred Racing British Columbia. 'We put on the show, but we don't share in its success — a success racing has helped to create.' Cup Day has grown into one of the summer's social highlights in Vancouver and, in the 15 years since its inception, that growth can be seen clearly through the rise in betting on the big day. Ten years ago, horse players generated just over $500,000 in betting turnover. In 2024, the figure was nudging $974,000, with almost $250,000 of that bet by people attending the event. However, cold hard cash aside, Cup Day remains a positive experience for the backstretch community and one it looks forward to. Trainer Steve Henson agrees that, from the horsemen's side, Cup Day remains one of the year's highlights. He said: 'I love Cup Day. It's a great, fun day out. We live for the excitement this sport generates, and that excitement is certainly heightened when the grandstands are so full. It's also a day when we get to show people, who may not be regular racegoers, what the sport is all about.' First race Saturday , (2:30 p.m.) Hastings Race 1 (2:30pm PT): Tex Hanley made merry at this level just two startsago and he can get the Cup Day party swinging early. Hastings Race 4 (5:27 p.m.): Run Rudolf, who returns to action for the first time since beating today's rival Lucky Force over this distance back in June, can land The Cup.
The Province
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Province
Tsleil-Waututh Nation reveals plan to buy casino at Hastings Park
Tentative agreement made to buy casino and related real estate as future of horse racing remains in question at storied site The casino at Hastings Park in Vancouver on June 9. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG A Vancouver-area First Nation is looking at getting into the gambling industry, with a plan to purchase the casino at Hastings Park in east Vancouver. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. 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Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The Tsleil-Waututh First Nation announced Friday that it has signed a non-binding tentative agreement to buy the casino from Great Canadian Gaming Corp., and the related real estate, a roughly 16-hectare piece of the larger PNE grounds, from the City of Vancouver. 'It's something we've been looking at for almost 20 years, trying to get into the casino business,' Tsleil-Waututh Chief Jen Thomas said in a phone interview Monday. 'We've seen nations, and tribes across the border do this, and now this opportunity came across our table and we couldn't say no to having a discussion with Great Canadian.' In April, the Vancouver Whitecaps said it's in talks with the city about potentially building a new stadium on part of the city-owned Hastings Park, which is also known as the PNE grounds and encompasses about 66 hectares including the horse-racing track, casino, the Playland amusement park and the Pacific Coliseum. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Hastings Park in Vancouver on June 9, 2025. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG Thomas said that the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation hasn't had any discussions about a new soccer stadium. The First Nation would be subject to the same rules as any other entity operating a casino, and would be regulated by the B.C. Lottery Corp., Thomas said. 'We'll just have to dive right in and learn how to run it accordingly.' In the coming months, the nation will work with its financial adviser KPMG to analyze the deal, Thomas said, and the parties will continue to work on finalizing the terms. The deal doesn't include the racetrack beside the casino, Thomas said: 'It has nothing to do with the horse racing.' But it's unclear what the future will hold for horse racing at Hastings Park, which has hosted the sport since the late 19th century. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Hastings Park in Vancouver on June 9, 2025. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG David Milburn, president of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of B.C., said his group found out about the pending sale through the Friday news release but they hope that horse racing will continue at Hastings Park. In an emailed statement, the city said the sale of this property, as with any real estate owned by the City of Vancouver, would require approval by city council. Asked for details about how the Tsleil-Waututh announcement connects with city hall's discussions about a potential new soccer stadium on the PNE grounds, the city replied that it 'cannot disclose specific information regarding potential land-use matters.' Vancouver Coun. Mike Klassen said news of the pending deal with Tsleil-Waututh speaks to the strong interest in 'the future of Hastings Park as a destination for entertainment.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Klassen said that between discussions of a possible new soccer stadium at Hastings Park, and the new Professional Women's Hockey League team that will play out of the Pacific Coliseum starting next fall, plus the construction now underway on a new PNE amphitheatre that will host watch parties for next year's FIFA World Cup, 'there's just so much happening on those grounds right now.' What the PNE's new amphitheatre will look like when built. Construction began in spring 2024. Photo by Revery Architecture Klassen chairs the PNE's board of directors but said he doesn't speak on behalf of the PNE, only as a city councillor. Klassen said it's not clear right now what the future of horse racing at Hastings will look like, but that question has been a subject of public discussion since long before the recent news about the Tsleil-Waututh deal. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Horse racing obviously has an extremely long history at Hastings Park, but it's a form of entertainment that's not as popular as it once was,' Klassen said. Chuck Keeling, an executive vice-president at Great Canadian, said in an emailed statement that the company was 'excited to reach this first step with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.' 'It is business as usual in the interim for us and our team at Hastings, and there is much work to do before any definitive agreement may be reached,' Keeling said. SEwen@ dfumano@ Read More Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks News Sports News
Vancouver Sun
09-06-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Tsleil-Waututh Nation reveals plan to buy casino at Hastings Park
A Vancouver-area First Nation is looking at getting into the gambling industry, with a plan to purchase the casino at Hastings Park in east Vancouver. The Tsleil-Waututh First Nation announced Friday that it has signed a non-binding tentative agreement to buy the casino from Great Canadian Gaming Corp., and the related real estate, a roughly 16-hectare piece of the larger PNE grounds, from the City of Vancouver. 'It's something we've been looking at for almost 20 years, trying to get into the casino business,' Tsleil-Waututh Chief Jen Thomas said in a phone interview Monday. 'We've seen nations, and tribes across the border do this, and now this opportunity came across our table and we couldn't say no to having a discussion with Great Canadian.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. In April, the Vancouver Whitecaps said it's in talks with the city about potentially building a new stadium on part of the city-owned Hastings Park, which is also known as the PNE grounds and encompasses about 66 hectares including the horse-racing track, casino, the Playland amusement park and the Pacific Coliseum . Thomas said that the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation hasn't had any discussions about a new soccer stadium. The First Nation would be subject to the same rules as any other entity operating a casino, and would be regulated by the B.C. Lottery Corp., Thomas said. 'We'll just have to dive right in and learn how to run it accordingly.' In the coming months, the nation will work with its financial adviser KPMG to analyze the deal, Thomas said, and the parties will continue to work on finalizing the terms. The deal doesn't include the racetrack beside the casino, Thomas said: 'It has nothing to do with the horse racing.' But it's unclear what the future will hold for horse racing at Hastings Park, which has hosted the sport since the late 19th century. David Milburn, president of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of B.C., said his group found out about the pending sale through the Friday news release but they hope that horse racing will continue at Hastings Park. In an emailed statement, the city said the sale of this property, as with any real estate owned by the City of Vancouver, would require approval by city council. Asked for details about how the Tsleil-Waututh announcement connects with city hall's discussions about a potential new soccer stadium on the PNE grounds, the city replied that it 'cannot disclose specific information regarding potential land-use matters.' Vancouver Coun. Mike Klassen said news of the pending deal with Tsleil-Waututh speaks to the strong interest in 'the future of Hastings Park as a destination for entertainment.' Klassen said that between discussions of a possible new soccer stadium at Hastings Park, and the new Professional Women's Hockey League team that will play out of the Pacific Coliseum starting next fall, plus the construction now underway on a new PNE amphitheatre that will host watch parties for next year's FIFA World Cup, 'there's just so much happening on those grounds right now.' Klassen chairs the PNE's board of directors but said he doesn't speak on behalf of the PNE, only as a city councillor. Klassen said it's not clear right now what the future of horse racing at Hastings will look like, but that question has been a subject of public discussion since long before the recent news about the Tsleil-Waututh deal. 'Horse racing obviously has an extremely long history at Hastings Park, but it's a form of entertainment that's not as popular as it once was,' Klassen said. Chuck Keeling, an executive vice-president at Great Canadian, said in an emailed statement that the company was 'excited to reach this first step with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.' 'It is business as usual in the interim for us and our team at Hastings, and there is much work to do before any definitive agreement may be reached,' Keeling said. SEwen@ dfumano@
