Rat Crisis Shuts Down Cloverdale Racetrack Despite Legal Fight
In a battle of horses versus rodents, the rodents won—at least for now.
Harness Racing B.C. (HRBC) has officially lost its legal bid to stop the temporary closure of the Fraser Downs racetrack, located at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey, B.C. The cause? A massive rat infestation that’s plagued the barns and backstretch for years.
Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE), the parent company of Elements Casino and operator of Fraser Downs, argued that a full closure of the site for 60 to 90 days was necessary to tackle the infestation once and for all.
Legal Action Falls Short
After negotiations between HRBC and GCE failed, HRBC took the matter to court. Their claim: shutting down the racetrack would not only halt summer training but also derail the September-to-December harness racing season entirely. With no other comparable training facilities in the province, the impact on the industry could be devastating.
But B.C. Supreme Court Justice Marzari didn’t see it that way.
In a ruling issued on May 30, she dismissed HRBC’s application, stating that the organization failed to prove the shutdown would cause irreparable harm. While acknowledging the disruption, she emphasized that potential losses could be addressed through damages—if they can be proven in a future trial.
“The evidence of a ‘potential’ existential threat to industry is not enough to establish a probability of such a harm,” the judge said.
Closure Timeline and Fallout
Initially, horse owners and trainers were told to vacate the barns by May 2. That deadline was extended to May 30, and then again to 4:00 p.m. on June 1, giving everyone time to relocate their animals and belongings. Any items left behind, the judge warned, would be removed and destroyed.
HRBC President Kelly MacMillan expressed frustration over the length of the closure. He argued that without adequate training time, there simply wouldn’t be enough prepared horses to make racing viable this fall.
“Not enough trained horses means no racing, period,” MacMillan stated in a May press release.
Training Disrupted, But Not Destroyed
Justice Marzari acknowledged that young horses aiming for high-stakes races could be most affected, especially if alternate training sites are unavailable or more expensive. These complications could reduce their chances of earning big purses or securing top-value sales.
However, she maintained that these are financial risks—not irreversible damages.
To complicate matters further, the Gaming Policy Enforcement Branch had issued warnings: if the rat problem isn’t resolved soon, they might not allow their staff to work at the racetrack at all this fall.
Public Health at the Forefront
At the heart of the ruling was health and safety. The infestation, left unchecked for nearly five years, has become a serious concern not just for horses but for everyone working at the facility.
“This is a critical issue,” said the judge, calling the infestation a direct threat to the future of harness racing in B.C.
In Summary
HRBC’s attempt to keep Fraser Downs open failed in court. The racetrack will remain shut for up to three months as the operator addresses a long-standing rat infestation. While concerns about financial loss and a disrupted racing season are valid, the court determined that public health and safety take top priority—and that lost earnings can be argued in court later.
For now, the horses—and their trainers—will have to find a new stable to call home.
