Great Canadian Gaming Corporation announced that Hastings Racecourse is about to go back to its normal pace of work in a couple of weeks. May 1 is expected to see the official reopening of the horse racetrack, as the casino developer informed The Emergency Task Force for BC Horse Racing. The weeks ahead of the launch is about to see special instructions for the individuals returning to their workplace.
Racing horses need attention and care on a daily basis but they also need training for the upcoming racing season. Great Canadian Gaming Corporation is both a casino operator and a racetrack operator, overseeing a diverse portfolio of offerings and entertainment possibilities. Hastings Racecourse is one of the popular racing locations for many Canadians, making their way there for the regular live events.
Horses Return to Stables
The unprecedented situation made it impossible for the horse people to continue their work, but this period might soon be over, as the gaming leader announced. May 1 is about to see the official reopening of the racecourse for stabling. The horses’ accommodation is where the animals are being taken care of on a daily basis, as they prepare for the upcoming racing season.
Over the following few weeks, Great Canadian Gaming is about to work with the individuals taking care of the horses and inform them of the policy that needs to be implemented going forward. It includes social distancing among the horse people, as well as safeguarding the health of all individuals that would make their way there. The Vancouver racetrack remained closed mid-March following an attempt at live racing without spectators.
Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, Fraser Downs in Surrey, as well as Flamboro Downs in Hamilton, Ontario, are the three racetracks affected by the recent closure. All three of them made an attempt at hosting live racing events without the spectators last month. However, the casino operator ultimately decided that the horse people need more protection.
May 1 Sees Stabling Return
The decision came soon after the casino operator announced it is about to shut down operation at its casino venues across the Canadian provinces. At the moment, Great Canadian Gaming works in close collaboration with the Thoroughbred horsemen’s associations in relation to the details around the training protocols that would be implemented at the beginning of May. In the meantime, Fraser Downs now welcomes Standardbred racehorses back.
They are being stabled and light exercises have already commenced, as the horses have to be in shape for the upcoming live races. It should be taken into account that the live racing events would be able to continue only when spectators are allowed to attend social gatherings once again. The track management made it clear that this is the only way this business could be sustainable.
In the meantime, breed associations make an effort to support the horse people through the existing emergency aid programs. The Canadian Emergency Response Benefit is one of the ways people associated with the horse industry could guarantee their well-being in these trying times. The summer months are projected to see the return of live horse racing with spectators spending time with their friends and family.