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World Pool, one of the largest commingled horse-racing pools in the world, was created by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and will be expanded in 2023 with major fixtures such as the Lightning Stakes Day in Australia and The Saudi Cup.
After the success of World Pool Moments of the Year 2022 in Great Britain, Ireland, this award has been extended to all World Pool meetings worldwide and will reward stable staff members with a total amount of HK$1,000,000 (approx. Thanks to additional funding from the HKJC and UK Tote Group (RMG), Racecourse Media Groups (RMG), and Ascot Racecourse, you will also receive a VIP trip for two to Hong Kong.
Beginning Saturday 28 January at Kenilworth, South Africa, the first meeting that racing fans can bet in the World Pool. Ending on Melbourne Cup Day in Australia on 7 February, one World Pool Moment of the Day winner will be chosen at each World Pool meeting.
Every groom who wins the 25 World Pool Days season will be eligible to win the World Pool Moment Of The Year and a trip for four to Hong Kong to take part in the 2024 Hong Kong Derby, or the 2024 FWD Champions Day.
A panel of global racing experts will narrow down the 25 individual World Pool Moment of the Daywinners to a final quartet before the public votes for World Pool Moment of the Year. This will be announced at the Hong Kong International Races in Sha Tin in December.
Alpinista, the World Pool Moments of the Yearwinner last year, was joined by Annabel Willis the winning groom. Annabel lit up the Knavesmire at York Racecourse after landing the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks. She then went on to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
World Pool will make its debut in Q1 2023
The addition of the Lightning Stakes Day at Flemington (18 February) and the Saudi Cup Night in Riyadh (25 February) to the first quarter World Pool races has been confirmed.
Five fixtures are now in the first quarter of the year, including two visits to Meydan on Super Saturday (4 March) or Dubai World Cup Night (2 March) as well as the Met Day (28 January) at Kenilworth.
Irish Derby, Lockinge Stakes Among 18 UK and Irish World Pool Events
World Pool will operate at Newbury Racecourse in the UK for the first time. Two races were added to the World Pool season in Lockinge Stakes Day, 20 May. Irish Derby Day will also be featured amongst the 18 UK and Irish events scheduled for 2 July. The Deutsches Derby at Hamburg Horn will be covered, marking the first World Pool race.
The World Pool betting turnover reached a new record of HK$6billion (approx. From HK$4.8 billion (approx.), PS622m was a significant increase in turnover. PS498m) in 2021 across 21 racedays. Derby Day at Epsom had the highest day of turnover with HK$66.1million (approx. PS6.8m – *note that turnover is in HK$ and the approximate pound sterling figures are based on current exchange rate.
Michael Fitzsimons is the Executive Director Wagering Products at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. said – “We were thrilled with the results of our 21 World Pool meetings 2022 and we are thrilled to be expanding that offer to 25 days in 2019.
“Having Australia, Saudi Arabia and the fixture list for 2023 World Pool meetings in Australia is an important step in the globalization of World Pool. Adding high-profile British meetings to the schedule is also exciting.”
“To add to our growing list of World Pool meetings, the Moment of the Day and Moment of the Yearinitiatives will be awarded for winning stable staff from all countries hosting World Pool race.
“Last year’s competition launch in the UK and Ireland received great feedback from yards throughout the region. We look forward to opening this up to our World Pool Days in South Africa and Australia, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Dubai.”
Alex Frost is the Chief Executive of UK Tote Group. He stated that “We look forward to another World Pool Season which now extends it’s reach across eight other countries around the world.” It is a welcome addition to the schedule for the UK, Ireland and the USA. Two races from Newbury’s Lockinge Day and the Irish Derby Day have been added to the program, bringing the total number of World Pool events held in the UK, Ireland and the United Kingdom to 18.
With over 20 pool betting companies now part of World Pool, the ambitions for a global platform for wagering are already being realized. The UK and Ireland had a record-breaking turnover last year of PS521 millions across 17 World Pool events. This showcased the best of horseracing to a global audience and created a better value proposition for our wagering customers. It also provided a sustainable funding mechanism for horseracing and increased income for our racecourse partners.
“We are grateful to our partners, the Hong Kong Jockey Club. In collaboration with RMG, Ascot and Moment of the year now extended, this Moment of the Day and Moment of the Day now extended, to include all countries hosting World Pool race races.”
Martin Stevenson is Chief Executive Officer of Racecourse Media Group, (RMG). This group represents the media interests at The Jockey Club Newbury, Goodwood and York racecourses. stated: “RMG is delighted partner with Hong Kong Jockey Club and UK Tote to bring 11 high quality British and Irish days to this innovative and important World Pool schedule.
RMG looks forward to working together with all parties to grow the sport’s popularity and revenues. We are also thrilled to see the World Pool Moment of the Day, and Year awards grow in prize money and develop into a global initiative that supports stable staff – the true unsung heroes of our sport.
Alastair Warswick, Acting Chief executive Officer, Ascot Racing Course, stated: “It is amazing to see this truly international expansion of the meetings in the World Pool 2023. World Pool’s continued growth since its launch at Royal Ascot in 2019, has been a huge success and a great asset to British racing. We are looking forward to participating again at our major meetings this season.
Gregory Bortz is the Executive Chairman at Cape Racing, South Africa’s operator of horse racing in the Western Cape. stated: “We are honored to have WSB Met Day as a World Pool Event. It is one of the most prestigious and important days on South African racing calendar. The sight and sound of 19 of the best equine athletes in South Africa competing for this Grade 1 race will be a memorable experience for all the racing fans around the world who are betting into the World Pool.
“The Hong Kong Jockey Club is the gold standard for racing operators worldwide, and we at Cape Racing look forward chasing their lead and ensuring that our top-class racing provides entertainment and turnover worthy of World Pool status.”
These Provisional World Pool Events will be held on the following days in 2023
January
Saturday 28: Met Day, Kenilworth Racecourse in South Africa
February
Saturday 18: Black Caviar Lightning Race Day – Flemington Racecourse, Australia
Saturday 25: Saudi Cup – King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
March
Saturday, March 4th: Super Saturday at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai
Saturday, 25 March: Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai
Other important fixtures will be finalised in the latter part of the year. However, major meetings such as Royal Ascot and King George Day, Goodwood Festivals, York Ebor Meetings, British Champions Day, Melbourne Cup Day, and York Ebor Meetings will all form part World Pool 2023.
