Posted on: April 19, 2026, 12:04h.
Last updated on: April 19, 2026, 12:04h.
A spokesperson from Ontario Racing said they’ve received positive response from Ottawa-area horsepeople on an offer to help fund relocation to other tracks in the province after Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa announced a few weeks back it was closing Rideau Carleton Raceway’s harness racing after 64 years of operations. But there’s still a local push to have the decision reversed.
2025 Pepsi North American Cup, at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville, Ontario, last June. Ontario still features 14 horse racing tracks offering live racing after the Rideau Carleton Raceway closure. (Image: Claus Andersen, via Ontario Racing).Millions of Dollars Invested
“It’s early days yet in terms of both the details of that funding and how many horsepeople will take Ontario Racing up on the offer due to the fact that some people are still fighting to try to save racing in Ottawa,” said Dave Briggs, a spokesperson with Ontario Racing, which represents Ontario’s horse racing industry.
Hard Rock said April 2 the decision to close up shop followed “extensive discussions” with Ontario Racing.
The company said it had operated three race seasons under sole ownership, and invested “millions of dollars” into the operation, rebuilding the racing paddock, upgrading infrastructure, to better serve racing patrons, but in the end there were long-term financial sustainability concerns surrounding the racing program that couldn’t be overcome.
Re-Location Funding for Industry People
“Many of us hold deep respect and fond memories of the racing industry but consumer preferences have changed,” said Christine Crump, President Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa. “This is a sad time for our team members, the horse racing community and all those directly impacted. Racing at Rideau Carleton Raceway will always be remembered as an important chapter in the site’s history,” she added.
Ontario Racing said it wasn’t going to leave people working in the horse racing industry in eastern Ontario hanging, and said funding would be re-allocated for people looking to re-locate in Ontario. Ontario still features 14 horse racing tracks offering live racing, which is more than any jurisdiction in the world. Briggs said more details on funding for horse people will be released soon.
In the meantime, there’s a “Save Rideau Racing” Facebook page and a petition (3,580 signatures) asking the Ontario government to step in and oversee a public review of the Hard Rock decision. According to reporting by Standardbred Canada, National Capital Region Harness Horse Association will be engaging Hard Rock to see about a path forward.
Decision To Close Was Hard Rock’s
As Briggs added, like with many industries, horse racing everywhere is facing financial challenges, grappling with high inflation and competition from online gambling. Ontario is no exception. However, the province’s horse racing industry is on a solid financial footing thanks to a strong partnership with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and the OLG’s support for the 23,000 full-times equivalent jobs in the horse racing sector alone, he added.
“The decision to end racing at Rideau Carleton was one made by Hard Rock,” said Briggs. “Ontario Racing’s prime concern over Hard Rock’s announcement is with the people directed impacted by the decision – the 14 dedicated horse racing employees at Rideau Carleton and all of the horsepeople and ancillary businesses that earned a living from racing at that track. We are also saddened to see the end of horse racing in the Ottawa area after 64 years of continuous operation. Ottawa is an important wagering and racing sector in eastern Ontario.”
Casino Renovation
In a statement, Hard Rock said employees at the racetrack who were impacted by the decision were being offered other employment opportunities in the organization, even skills training to support the transition.
The newly renovated Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa opened in 2025. The $350 million resort features a 150-room hotel, including 22 suites, an expanded gaming floor with up to 1,500 slot machines, 40 live-action tables and high-limit gaming.
There are six restaurants and a 23,000 square foot, 1,900 seat performance center for concerts and events.
Like with other land-based casinos in Ontario, Hard Rock operates the property, and OLG governs it, with a percentage of the property’s revenues flowing back to benefit the local community.
According to OLG, in Q3, just under $1.6 million went back to the municipality.
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