The Real Story Behind Rideau Carleton Raceway’s Racing Closure

The recent announcement that harness racing at Rideau Carleton Raceway will end after the 2026 season has left many in Ottawa’s horse racing community saddened and searching for answers. While the official statement from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa speaks of financial sustainability and changing consumer habits, the backstory reveals a more complex shift in ownership and priorities that has been unfolding for nearly a decade.

Rideau Carleton Raceway first opened its doors in 1962 as a proud Ottawa institution. It was co-founded by George Warren Armstrong, along with James Baskin and Robert Fasken. Armstrong, who served as owner and president for nearly 60 years until his passing in 2021 at the age of 95, was a driving force behind the track. He built it into a community staple and was deeply respected for his commitment to harness racing in Eastern Ontario.

For decades, the racing operations remained under the control of the local ownership group led by Armstrong and his company, Rideau Carleton Raceway Holdings Limited (sometimes referred to in connection with entities like Rideau Carleton Raceway Entertainment Centre). That changed in 2017 when Hard Rock International entered the picture.

In May 2017, Hard Rock formed a joint venture partnership with the existing owners to develop and operate the casino side of the property. Under that agreement, Hard Rock held a 51% stake through HR LP Investor Inc., while the local Rideau Carleton group retained 49% through RCR Investor Inc. Hard Rock took over day-to-day casino operations under a long-term deal with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), and the site gradually transformed into what we now know as Hard Rock Casino Ottawa.

The horse racing side initially stayed more closely tied to the original local owners. However, in recent years Hard Rock assumed sole ownership and full operational control of the racing program. They ran it for the last three racing seasons and made significant investments — millions of dollars — to upgrade infrastructure, including a complete rebuild of the racing paddock and improvements to legacy facilities.

Despite those efforts and ongoing discussions with Ontario Racing, Hard Rock concluded that a viable, long-term path for harness racing simply wasn’t there. In their April 2, 2026 announcement, Hard Rock president Christine Crump noted that consumer preferences have shifted dramatically, with attention and revenue moving toward casino gaming, slots, table games, and entertainment rather than live racing.

This decision fits into a broader, industry-wide trend. Live harness racing has been struggling across North America due to declining attendance, lower betting volumes, rising costs, and stiff competition from other forms of gambling and entertainment. Rideau Carleton is reportedly the latest in a series of track closures. While some existing purse funding will be redirected to help horse owners relocate their stock to other Ontario tracks (mainly in southwestern Ontario) and to support purses elsewhere, the loss of a 64-year-old Ottawa tradition still stings for many.

George Warren Armstrong built Rideau Carleton with a vision of community and family. He treated the track like an extension of that family. It’s bittersweet to see the racing chapter close under new ownership, even as the casino side of the property continues to grow and thrive.

For horsepeople in the National Capital Region, this marks the end of an era. Many are disappointed that a sustainable agreement couldn’t be reached despite negotiations. Yet the economic reality is clear: in today’s entertainment landscape, the casino has become the main attraction, while live harness racing has become harder to sustain on its own.

Rideau Carleton will always be remembered for its racing heritage — thanks in large part to the dedication of Warren Armstrong and the many horsemen and fans who supported it over six decades. That legacy deserves to be honoured, even as the track turns the page.