Vancouver, B.C. (January 16/18) – The 2018 stakes schedule at Hastings Racecourse will offer $2.175 million in purse money with some exciting new features over 36 stakes races that begin with the $50,000 Swift Thoroughbreds Inaugural and $50,000 Brighouse Belles on Sunday, April 22.
“I am very pleased with the way our industry groups came together to finalize the stakes schedule in the best interest of thoroughbred racing in our province,” said Darren MacDonald, Hastings Racecourse General Manager & Director of Racing BC. “With the quality of horses coming out of the CTHS Yearling & Mixed Sale last September there is renewed optimism that the stakes races for our 2-yearolds this season will be some of the most competitive in recent years.”
Grant Watson, President of CTHS (B.C. Division) added: “We’re extremely excited about the format of having our races on the same day (Friday, Aug. 24) because it will attract top horses from Alberta and Manitoba with trainers having to ship one time instead of two.”
MacDonald was delighted to share the news that the BC Cup will now be open races all running on the same day: the Civic holiday Monday, Aug. 6. He said a $25,000 bonus for BC-bred winners will apply on BC Cup Day.
The card will include the BC Cup Classic, Distaff, Sir Winston Churchill Derby Trial and Hong Kong Jockey Club as well as the Nursery and Debutante for 2-
year-olds. The BC Cup Marathon for BC-bred 3-year-olds & up over 11 furlongs rounds out the bombastic BC Cup Day stakes program.
The 73rd running of the prestigious $150,000 BC Derby and 56th edition of the $100,000 BC Oaks is set for Saturday, September 8 … a Hastings Racecourse long-standing tradition as the biggest and richest day of the season. Included on Derby/Oaks Day are the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity, $100,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity, $50,000 SW Randall Plate and $50,000 Delta Colleen.
Horses begin to arrive at Hastings on February 1 with the track scheduled to open for training on February 3. The Spring Paddock Sale for 2-year-olds in training and horses of racing age will be held on Saturday, April 14, presented by the HBPA and BCTOBA. The sale preview takes place the previous Saturday, April 7.
Opening day for the 2018 season at Hastings Racecourse is Saturday, April 21 with the regular start time of 1:50 p.m. The 52-day race schedule concludes on Sunday, October 14. The popular Friday Night Live cards with 7:00 p.m. starts are set for July 27 and August 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31.
The 2018 racing schedule has been released and is available at www.hastingsracecourse.com
For further information:
Darren MacDonald
dmacdonald@hastingsracecourse.com
604.216.5234
Greg Douglas
604.736.4469