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World Pool, one of the world’s largest commingled horse race pools, created by Hong Kong Jockey Club and powered by them, will be making its UK season debut at Newmarket Racecourse, on Saturday, 4 May. A brand-new PS50,000 initiative for jockeys is also being launched.
The first two Classics in the UK Flat Season will be World Pool races for the first time. This year, the QIPCO 2000 Guineas race on the 5th May is a World Pool event and joins the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas the day before.
The World Pool UK & Ireland Jockeys’ Championship will be launched at the Guineas Weekend, with jockeys competing to earn points in World Pool fixtures held across the UK & Ireland.
The World Pool win-dividend will determine the points awarded to the jockey who wins each World Pool race held in the UK or Ireland. This point system provides a level playing ground for all jockeys – from the leaders to the rising stars – and their chances of success are determined by their World Pool odds.
The competition, which began with the QIPCO British Champions Day on Ascot’s 19th October, will end with the QIPCO British Guineas. The winner of the QIPCO British Champions Day in Ascot will receive PS50,000, to be donated to the charity of their choosing.
The Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas will also be added to the World Pool Calendar this year on Sunday, 26 May. Tattersalls Gold Cup will be run on the same date and for the first World Pool race. The prize money has been increased from EUR450,000 to EUR500,000.
After the success of World Pool moment of the year introduced in Great Britain and Ireland in 2022, this will be continued in 2024 and cover all full World Pool Meetings. Stable staff will receive cash prizes and a VIP trip for four to Hong Kong in 2025 will go to the overall winner.
Each full World Pool Meeting will select one World Pool Moment of the Day. The winning groom receives HK$40,000.
Michael Fitzsimons is the Executive Director of Wagering Products at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. said: “It’s wonderful to be returning to UK and Ireland this year with an expanded World Pool fixture listing that now includes the English and Irish 1000 Guineas and we look forward in making these historic fillies’ Classics available to our customers around the globe.”
“In addition the the popular World Moment of the Day, we’re thrilled to announce the World Pool UK & Ireland Jockeys’ Championship. This will add a new dimension to World Pool racedays and provide further competition right up to QIPCO British Champions Day, in October.
The competition is unique, as the jockeys’ points are determined by World Pool winning dividends. It’s also a great initiative, since there’s PS50,000 available for the top rider to give to a charity. This seemed like the best way to give money to racing and to good causes.
Alex Frost is the Chief Executive Officer of the UK Tote Group. He said: “It’s always a thrilling time of the year when the Flat Season begins and we are delighted that the UK’s two first Classics will be World Pool events. City Of Troy is a potential global superstar. We look forward to watching and betting on his return in 2024, when the UK hosts its first World Pool event.
“Racing enthusiasts in the UK and Ireland can access the enormous global pools on tote.co.uk and on the Tote App, as well as at racecourses, which offers excellent value, while the sport gains from this important revenue stream.”
Martin Stevenson is the Chief Executive Officer of Racecourse Media Group, which represents media interests for The Jockey Club and Goodwood Racecourses. He said that RMG looks forward to an exciting World Pool Season in UK and Ireland and will work closely with Hong Kong Jockey Club and UK Tote to grow the sport’s global appeal.
Amy Starkey is the Managing Director of Jockey Club Racecourses. She said: “We are delighted to partner with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and thank them for supporting us as we deliver the three exciting World Pool Days across the QIPCO Guineas Festival, and the Betfred Derby Festival.
For the first time, World Pool and the UK have teamed up to put on a nine race card for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas Day. The first Classic of the year will be included, and we are delighted to announce that the QIPCO 2000 Guineas race the next day, for three-year old Classic Fillies, is being featured as a World Pool event for the very first time.
“World Pool allows for strong reinvestment into British racing. Working alongside them to secure the additional races is a key step in continuing to strengthen our links with Hong Kong and engage more fans to British racing. We strive to grow our sports.”
Brian Kavanagh is the Chief Executive Officer of Curragh Racecourse. He said that they are pleased to extend their relationship with World Pool for 2024, with the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas on 26 May, the Tattersalls Gold Cup meeting on 30 Jun, and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on 30 Jun.
“We are looking forward to building upon our very positive experience last year with World Pool and bringing racing to a larger audience this year. Irish horses have been very successful internationally in the last few years, and we’re delighted to showcase our best races via World Pool.
We look forward to further developing our relationship with World Pool in the future.
Upcoming UK World Pool events and Irish World Pool in the first half of 2024
May
Saturday 4th: 2000 Guineas Day at Newmarket Racecourse
Sunday 5th: 1000 Guineas Day at Newmarket Racecourse
Saturday 18th: Lockinge Stakes Day at Newbury Racecourse
Sunday 26th: Irish 1000 Guineas Day at Curragh Racecourse
June
Saturday 1: Derby Stakes Day – Epsom Racecourse (F)
Tuesday 18th: Queen Anne Stakes Day at Ascot Racecourse
Wednesday 19th: Prince of Wales Stakes Day at Ascot Racecourse
Thursday 20th: Gold Cup Day at Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse, Friday 21st: Commonwealth Cup Day
Saturday 22: Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes Day at Ascot Racecourse
Sunday 30th: Irish Derby Day at Curragh Racecourse
*F: World Pool coverage of all races at the meeting.
World Pool coverage is limited to selected races at the relevant part meeting.
S: World Pool coverage is limited to this race at the relevant meeting.
