Ontario’s Rideau Carleton Raceway Is Under Threat—and Locals Are Fighting Back
Posted on: April 19, 2026, 12:04h.
Last updated on: April 20, 2026, 08:09h.
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa announced earlier this month it was shutting down Rideau Carleton Raceway
- Ontario racing said it’s received positive response from people in the industry about its offer to provide funding to help them re-locate to other horse racing tracks
- People in the Eastern Ontario horse racing industry are working to save Rideau Carleton Raceway
Despite positive interest in Ontario Racing’s relocation fund, Ottawa locals continue to protest Hard Rock’s decision to shut down the historic Rideau Carleton Raceway.
Millions of Dollars Invested
A spokesperson from Ontario Racing said they’ve received positive response from Ottawa-area horsepeople to the relocation offer, but cited the impact of the campaign to save the track as a factor in the delayed take up.
“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.
However, 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,” the Ontario racing spokesperson added.
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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