Hastings' Weekly Round-Up

With just three weeks remaining until opening day, Hastings' trainers took full advantage of a drying track this week to get some work into their charges

Apr 12, 2025

**Hastings, home to horseracing in Vancouver since 1889** — *photo Michael Bye*

Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of BC (HBPA) President David Milburn has hit back at recent media reports suggesting the Vancouver Whitecaps soccer team may be eyeing Hastings Racecourse as a potential site for a new home.

Milburn, who, like everyone on the backstretch only heard the news through the media last week, questioned the legitimacy of the proposals and left no doubt as to the HBPA’s position on the threat of racing being expelled from the facility it has called home since 1889.

Milburn said: “We’ll do whatever we can not to be displaced. There are a lot of people that require the racetrack for their livelihoods. I don’t know if it’s in keeping with the spirit of that trust agreement to put a stadium up and pave what now is an agricultural purpose — racing horses and having them stabled here — and replace it with a stadium.”

News that secret talks between the Whitecaps and the City of Vancouver had taken place were leaked to the media and have caused quite a stir, with several articles questioning whether taxpayers should be expected to subsidize yet another stadium in Vancouver.

We’ll follow the story as it unfolds and make sure everyone is kept up-to-date.

Spring Training

Western Canadian Derby Series Returns in 2025

Western Canadian Derby Series Returns in 2025 with $100,000
Derby Bonus and $25,000 Owner-Trainer Bonus

With Western Canadian race meets launching in May, the 2025 Western Canadian Derby Series promises to elevate an already thrilling season of Thoroughbred racing across Western Canada. The $100,000 Derby Bonus awaits any 3-year-old daring enough to sweep all three races, bolstered by the Manitoba Derby’s return to the series alongside the Canadian Derby and BC Derby. A $25,000 Owner-Trainer Bonus will further stoke the competition.

The 2025 series begins August 4 at Assiniboia Downs with the $125,000 Manitoba Derby (1 1/8 miles), continues August 23 with the $200,000 Canadian Derby (10 furlongs) at Century Mile, and concludes September 13 with the $125,000 BC Derby (9 furlongs) at Hastings Racecourse.

“We are thrilled to return the historic Manitoba Derby as a participant in the series. The elevated competition of a three-race challenge creates a winning combination for all involved, from our valued race fans to our equally important horse owners and trainers” said Darren Dunn.

Reflecting on 2024: August Rain Dominates

The 2024 series, limited to the Canadian Derby and BC Derby due to quarantine restrictions at Assiniboia Downs, showcased August Rain’s dominance. Trained by Barbara Heads and owned by Peter Redekop, the horse clinched both races to lead the points standings. J Dutton and Classy City rounded out the top three with strong showings in both events.

Barbara Heads, who topped the trainer standings, reflected: “He is an amazing little horse with a lot of ambition. It was a great opportunity to be in the Derby Series and the best result I could imagine.”

The series will once again conclude at Hastings Racecourse, where the BC Derby will take center stage as one of the most anticipated events on the Western Canadian racing calendar. Dawn Lupul, representing the local racing community, expressed excitement about hosting the final leg. “We are excited to be welcoming the best of the west to historic Hastings Park,” she said. “Our local horse people greeted the initiative with enthusiasm last year and are ready to put on a show for this year’s BC Derby.”

$25,000 Owner-Trainer Bonus Details

Points are awarded per race: 6 for 1st, 4 for 2nd, 3 for 3rd, 2 for 4th, and 1 for 5th or lower. Horses must start in at least two races to qualify. Owners earn points based on each horse’s total, while trainers tally points from all their starters’ totals. A 3-point All Derby Bonus is added for horses that run in all three races. Following the BC Derby, the bonus will be split, with $12,500 awarded to the top three owners and $12,500 to the top three trainers:

● 1st Place: $7,000
● 2nd Place: $3,500
● 3rd Place: $2,000

Looking Ahead

With the Manitoba Derby back, the 2025 Western Canadian Derby Series is poised to be bigger and more competitive than ever.

"Tying these three extremely important races together gives horse owners added incentive and benefit to compete against the best Western Canada has to offer. The series is a testament to the cooperation between the racetracks and racing associations of the Provinces involved." Paul Ryneveld

Conditions Book

The first Conditions Book is now online and can be viewed on Equibase. Simply click the button.

Hastings' Conditions Book

Turn-Out Facilities

The two-year-old CHASE enjoying his days at Pacific North Stables

With quality facilities for ‘spelling’ and turning out increasingly difficult to find, it was good to hear from Kelsi Wellard this week to let owners and trainers know that Pacific North Stables in Delta is is now fully up and running and taking boarders as we speak. Rates are $30 per day and anyone interested in finding out more can pop along and see Kelsi in Barn A, via email Kelsiwellard@hotmail.com or by phone on 604-999-9314.

Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame

The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Standardbred and Thoroughbred Nomination Committees have determined the categories and finalists to appear on the ballot presented to the Election Committees, from which the Class of 2025 will be selected.

The Board of the CHRHF determined that the Class of 2025 will be comprised of six inductees per breed and provided the option for a Nomination Committee to use only five categories and induct two individuals in one category to meet the total of six inductees per breed. A 20-person Election Committee for each breed will determine, from the list of finalists, the individuals to be inducted in each of the categories, with the results to be announced on Wednesday, April 23rd. The individuals named to the CHRHF Class of 2025 will be formally inducted August 6th.

The six categories selected by the Thoroughbred Nominating Committee for the 2025 Thoroughbred ballot are Builder, Female Horse, Jockey, Male Horse, Trainer and Veteran – Person or Horse. Categories and finalist names in each are presented below in alphabetical order.

Thoroughbred Builder – John Burness, Ivan Dalos, and Phil Kives.
Thoroughbred Female Horse – Careless Jewel, Hard Not To Like and Marketing Mix.
Jockeys – Richard Dos Ramos, Emile Ramsammy and Perry Winters.
Thoroughbred Male Horse – Fatal Bullet, Ghostzapper and Rahy’s Attorney.
Thoroughbred Trainer – Michael (Mike) Doyle, Dale Saunders and Laurie Silvera.
Thoroughbred Veteran – Bessarabian, Andy Smithers and Storm Bird.

Biographical information about all finalists can be found here.