Rashabar’s unexpected victory in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot established a new record Win dividend for World Pool. The horse, which went off at 80/1, paid out a remarkable 129.90, the highest price ever recorded in a World Pool race since its inception in 2019.
Throughout the week, World Pool bettors in the UK and Ireland benefited from 20 instances of winning overpays when betting with the Tote.
Turnover Highlights
Gold Cup Day achieved the highest turnover of the week, reaching HK$298.2 million (£30.1 million). Prince of Wales’s Stakes Day and Commonwealth Cup Day followed closely with turnovers of HK$297.8 million (£30 million) and HK$283.5 million (£28.6 million) respectively. These figures mark the three highest turnover days for World Pool in 2024 thus far.
The total turnover for all World Pool bet types over the five days amounted to HK$1,426.1 million (£144 million). The highest turnover race was the Group 3 Jersey Stakes on Saturday, which saw a 20% increase from the previous year, reaching HK$52.1 million (£5.25 million).
World Pool Jockeys’ Championship
Billy Loughnane secured a significant lead in the World Pool Jockeys’ Championship, bolstered by his record-setting win on Rashabar. This victory earned him 129.90 points, supplemented by an additional 19.65 points for his ride on Sandringham winner Soprano. Oisin Murphy trails Loughnane with 72.25 points. The top jockey at the conclusion of the World Pool raceday on British Champions Day will win £50,000 to donate to a charity of their choice.
Moment of the Day
Each day of Royal Ascot, five yards were awarded £4,000 as part of World Pool’s Moment of the Day initiative. Winning grooms from these yards are now contenders for a VIP trip to Hong Kong next year. The daily winners were:
Tuesday: Rashabar, Coventry Stakes – Jasa Ram
Wednesday: Running Lion, Duke of Cambridge Stakes – Kieran Holmes
Thursday: Mickley, Britannia Stakes – Barry Lusted
Friday: Crystal Black, Duke of Edinburgh Stakes – Eric and James Hyland
Saturday: Isle Of Jura, Hardwicke Stakes – David Kenny
Significant Overpays
Bettors in the UK and Ireland enjoyed significant value with the Tote, as 20 out of 35 winners paid more than the Industry Starting Price (SP). Notable overpays included:
Rashabar – 129.90 vs. 80/1 (new record Win Dividend)
Unequal Love – 15.75 vs. 12/1
Khaadem – 17.30 vs. 14/1
Fairy Godmother – 3.20 vs. 15/8
Soprano – 19.65 vs. 14/1
Going The Distance – 12.50 vs. 9/1
Mickley – 10.75 vs. 15/2
Jayarebe – 10.3 vs. 7/1
The Tote operated with an overround of 113%, compared to the Industry overround of 124%. Additionally, the Tote Exacta outperformed the Forecast in 31 races, and the Tote Trifecta beat the Tricast in 28 races.
The World Pool’s innovative approach continues to enhance the betting experience, providing value and excitement for participants and setting new benchmarks in the process.
Billy Loughnane said: “I’m delighted to be leading the World Pool Jockeys’ Championship after Royal Ascot. Winning the Coventry on Rashabar was a dream come true and then to win the Sandringham on Soprano for George [Boughey] and Highclere was incredible.
“It’s a great initiative by World Pool to donate £50,000 to charity and if I am still in front on Champions Day, then I’ll be donating it to the Christy Lambe Foundation, which is a charity very close to my heart.”
Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director, Wagering Products at the HKJC, said: “What an incredible five days of racing at Royal Ascot. World Pool was born at the meeting in 2019 and five years on, we have seen fantastic growth and value for racing fans, culminating in the record payout on Rashabar in the Coventry Stakes on Tuesday.
“Huge congratulations to Billy Loughnane for riding his first Royal Ascot winner and he is now flying high at the top of the World Pool Jockeys’ Championship where he is in with a big chance of winning £50,000 to donate to a charity of his choice.
“We would like to thank Ascot for putting on such a brilliant event and our UK and Irish partner the Tote, for helping us deliver a top-class product and proposition. We now look forward to Irish Derby Day on Saturday for our next World Pool event.”
Alex Frost, Chief Executive of the UK Tote, said: “We all enjoyed the most sensational five days of racing. I would like to congratulate Alastair Warwick and the whole team at Ascot for all their hard work in ensuring the Royal meeting was once again the racing highlight of the summer.
“Tote customers benefited from huge pools and exceptional value with 20 winners better priced with the Tote and the pool operating to an overround of only 113%, compared to in Industry SP of 124%. We are all very much looking forward to the rest of the World Pool season which ensures racing fans and the sport benefit from global pools.”
Alastair Warwick, Chief Executive at Ascot Racecourse, said: “It was another hugely enjoyable week and we were thrilled with the quality and depth of racing, especially to see eight or more runners in every race which is so important to ensure the full suite of World Pool bets are available.
“The racing was hugely competitive and with winners from Australia and France there was a true international feel to the meeting. On-course attendance and betting turnover were both up year-on-year which was fantastic reward for all the hard work the team have put in building up to Royal Ascot. We look forward now to QIPCO King George Day which is our next World Pool day.”
