Hong Kong Jockey Club’s World Pool Winner
World Pool, the unique and exciting version of commingled betting on international horse racing, hosted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), has delivered another terrific turnover on its UK and Ireland season.
The self-described “deepest and most liquid pari-mutuel pools on the planet” generated a take of HK$4.7 billion (£475m)–marginally down on last year’s HK$4.9 billion but significantly up on the HK$3.9 billion of 2021–during the 19 commingled World Pool days in the region.
Turnover on World Pool bet types on British Champions Day, alone, totalled HK$202.7 million (£21.4m) and King George Day at Ascot saw a big jump in turnover, rising from HK$253 million to a new record of HK$287 million, an increase of over 13 percent.
Prize money won across the 131 World Pool races in the UK and Ireland this year hit a record £32 million, with each of 17 World Pool “Moment of the Day” winners receiving a handsome £4,000 bonus — and the chance of a VIP trip to Hong Kong next year if they win the World Pool “Moment of the Year”.
World Pool meetings in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Australia, meantime, have all also posted record turnover numbers.
The Caulfield Cup, for example, broke the record for the highest turnover on a World Pool race in Australia with HK$54.24 million (AUD$10.98m) bet into the pool.
Only two World Pool races this year–the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes and the Dubai World Cup–have had bigger pools.
Sustainability
“We are really pleased with how World Pool has been received in the UK and Ireland again this year and the turnover figures look strong against a challenging economic backdrop,” said Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director of Wagering Products at the HKJC.
“There are many more opportunities for growth in the UK and Ireland and we look forward to being able to roll out World Pool at even more of the season’s flagship race days.
“Having the Lockinge, the Irish Derby and the Sun Chariot as World Pool events for the first time this year worked really well, and we look forward to adding more days in the future.
“We’d like to thank all of our partners, including the UK Tote, Racecourse Media Group and Ascot Racecourse–who have all been with us since World Pool was first created in 2019–for all their hard work in making it another highly successful season,” said Fitzsimons.
Added Alex Frost, Chief Executive of the UK Tote: “We are delighted that British and Irish racing has enjoyed such a successful World Pool season in 2023.
“It is incredibly positive to see revenues from World Pool supporting racecourses’ investment in prize money which was at a new record of £32 million for World Pool races this year. This highlights the increasingly important role pool betting is playing in the future sustainability of the sport.
“Following our new five-year agreement with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, making the UK Tote the exclusive partner for World Pool in the UK and Ireland, we look forward to collaborating on exciting developments, including new bet types and further improvements to the customer experience for the 2024 season.”
