Turnover for World Pool bet types at Royal Ascot 2025 reached HK$1,574.4m (approx. £150m), marking a 10% increase compared to the previous year. This growth reflects rising international engagement with commingled pools at the event, now in its seventh season under the World Pool framework.
Wednesday recorded the highest daily turnover of the week at HK$330.7m, the largest figure for that day since World Pool betting was introduced to Royal Ascot in 2019. Despite the increase, the 2025 total remains approximately 2% below the record set in 2022, when turnover reached HK$1,609.1m.
Data from the event indicated consistent overpays in World Pool dividends compared to standard SP across various bet types. The Win dividend exceeded SP in 20 of the 35 races, the Exacta outperformed Forecast in 23, and the Trifecta outpaced Tricast in 24 races. The highest recorded Win overpay was for Never Let Go in the Sandringham Stakes, paying 30.35 versus a 22/1 SP.
In the World Pool Jockeys’ Championship, Oisin Murphy moved into the lead with four wins, accumulating 114.40 points. Kieran Shoemark’s win aboard Noble Champion in the Jersey Stakes, the week’s highest-priced World Pool winner at 33.20, pushed him into second place with 63.55 points. Ryan Moore, despite finishing the meeting with seven wins, ended in third place with 52.60 points.
A groom was recognised each day with a World Pool Moment of the Day award, receiving £4,000 and entry into a competition for a trip to Hong Kong. Winners included Michael Vokins (DOCKLANDS), Tom Clemit (HAVANA HURRICANE), Ben de Paiva (TRAWLERMAN), TJ Comerford (CERCENE), and Jessy Cabot (LAZZAT).
The next World Pool meeting is scheduled for Irish Derby Day at Curragh Racecourse on 29 June. Additional fixtures in July and August include races at Greyville, Sandown, Hamburg, Munich, Goodwood, Dusseldorf, Hoppegarten, York, and Newmarket, with coverage varying between full meetings, selected races, or single-race pools.
Sam Nati, Head of Commingling at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “Royal Ascot 2025 was a great success in every way and certainly from a World Pool perspective as well. We’d like to thank and congratulate everybody at the racecourse on what was a brilliant week of racing.
“Turnover was strong and only marginally below 2022 which, of course, was inflated due to Covid. World Pool continues to drive some great value for customers, with dividends consistently outperforming the local SP.
“In terms of quality, quantity and competitiveness, the fields were fantastic all week. There was also some good international representation, both in the horses running and the jockeys taking part, so it was a good mix of key factors for both local and overseas punters.”
Felicity Barnard, Chief Executive at Ascot Racecourse, said: “It was a fantastic week and I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to be a window to the world for British racing. The World Pool numbers really reflect that and it’s great to see such an uplift in turnover year-on-year. There was also some real value for customers on and off site which showcases the benefits of World Pool and increased liquidity for everyone.”
Alex Frost, Chief Executive of the UK Tote Group, said: “Royal Ascot was absolutely exceptional, and we would like to congratulate Sir Francis Brooke, Felicity Barnard and the whole team at Ascot for delivering such a wonderful five days of racing.
“World Pool perfectly showcases the enduring appeal of British racing’s highest profile flat meeting, particularly with an international audience. This was especially the case with races which had international recognised runners, such as Rebel’s Romance winning the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes and Satono Reve under Joao Moreira finishing a close second in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, which saw both races deliver a 40% and 20% uplift in turnover respectively. We are delighted that the Tote once again offered British and Irish customers exceptional value.”
