World Pool Expands to Include Prestigious Guineas Races in 2024
In an exciting development for global horse racing, the 2024 World Pool calendar will, for the first time, feature the esteemed English G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 5th and the G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh on May 26th. This expansion is brought to you by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), which facilitates the largest globally commingled horse racing pools known as World Pool.
The addition of the Curragh Classic, alongside the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup on the same day, opens up opportunities for punters from 28 countries to engage in pooled betting for these events. The inclusion of the English 1000 Guineas, along with an additional race from the same card, builds on the success of the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas card, which has been part of the World Pool since 2022.
The first half of 2024 will also see World Pool operations extend to seven additional race days, including five new fixtures from Australia and two from South Africa, marking a significant expansion of the initiative. Notably, Australia’s Blue Diamond Stakes Day, Australian Cup Day, Tancred Stakes Day, Doncaster Mile Stakes Day, and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day have all been added to the World Pool roster, following the positive reception of World Pool’s expansion in Australia in 2023.
South Africa will also contribute to the World Pool’s growth with the inclusion of South African Derby Day and the Gold Challenge as new fixtures in the 2024 lineup.
With a total of 21 World Pool fixtures scheduled for the first six months of 2024, horse racing enthusiasts can look forward to a diverse and exciting betting experience. This lineup also includes returning fixtures such as Cape Met Day, Saudi Cup Day, Dubai World Cup Day, Derby Stakes Day at Epsom, and the entire five days of Royal Ascot, further cementing the World Pool’s status as a key player in international horse racing.
Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director, Wagering Products, at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “We’re excited to be continuing the expansion of World Pool in 2024 by adding new race days from Australia, South Africa, the UK and Ireland to our growing list of fixtures.
“We want World Pool to be in action for the biggest races throughout the year, so it’s fantastic to add two more historic Classics to our roster in 2024, with the English 1000 Guineas and Irish 1000 Guineas joining the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and English 2000 Guineas as World Pool race days.”
Alex Frost, Chief Executive of the UK Tote Group, said: “It is exciting to see World Pool continuing to expand around the globe in 2024. In what is an increasingly competitive environment, it’s testament to the quality of British and Irish racing that an extra World Pool day has been added in each country for the start of the Flat season.
“We look forward to working with all our partners to promote World Pool to racing fans in the UK and Ireland to ensure it continues to offer exceptional value to customers and financially support a sustainable future for the sport.”
Suzanne Eade, HRI CEO, said: “It is great to see Irish racing being a key part of the expansion of World Pool, and the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas together with the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup from the Curragh being recognised in the plans for 2024.
“World Pool, in partnership with Tote, and the commingling opportunities provided by the Hong Kong Jockey Club has been a key enabler in supporting the health and quality of global racing.”
Martin Stevenson, Chief Executive Officer of Racecourse Media Group (RMG), which represents the international pool betting interests of The Jockey Club and Horse Racing Ireland, plus Goodwood and York racecourses, said: “The addition of the QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas – two of the most prestigious Classics – further strengthens the World Pool schedule. We look forward to another successful year for World Pool and working with all parties to help grow income for the sport and further enhance its popularity.”
Upcoming World Pool events in first half of 2024:
January
Saturday 27: Cape Town Met Day – Kenilworth Racecourse (P)
February
Saturday 24: Blue Diamond Stakes Day – Caulfield Racecourse (P)
Saturday 24: Saudi Cup Race Day – King Abdulaziz Racecourse (P)
March
Saturday 30: Australian Cup Day – Flemington Racecourse (P)
Saturday 30: Tancred Stakes Day – Rosehill Gardens Racecourse (P)
Saturday 30: Dubai World Cup Day – Meydan Racecourse (P)
April
Saturday 6: South African Derby Day – Turffontein Racecourse (P)
Saturday 6: Doncaster Mile Day – Randwick (P)
Saturday 13: Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day – Randwick Racecourse (F)
May
Saturday 4: 2000 Guineas Day – Newmarket Racecourse (F)
Sunday 5: 1000 Guineas Day – Newmarket Racecourse (P)
Saturday 18: Lockinge Stakes Day – Newbury Racecourse (P)
Sunday 26: Irish 1000 Guineas Day – Curragh Racecourse (P)
June
Saturday 1: Derby Stakes Day – Epsom Racecourse (F)
Saturday 8: Gold Challenge – Greyville Racecourse (S)
Tuesday 18: King’s Stand Stakes Day – Ascot Racecourse (F)
Wednesday 19: Prince of Wales’s Stakes Day – Ascot Racecourse (F)
Thursday 20: Gold Cup Day – Ascot Racecourse (F)
Friday 21: Commonwealth Cup Day – Ascot Racecourse (F)
Saturday 22: Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes – Ascot Racecourse (F)
Sunday 30: Irish Derby Day – Curragh Racecourse (F)
*F: Full meeting – World Pool coverage on all races in the relevant meeting
P: Part meeting – World Pool coverage only on selected races in the relevant meeting
