Hong Kong’s 12 Group One contests will be run under the World Pool banner beginning at next month’s Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR), a move the Jockey Club says “makes strategic sense”.
Since the inaugural World Pool race at Royal Ascot in 2019, only races from outside Hong Kong have been run as World Pool events, but the Jockey Club – which operates the World Pool – believes the time is right to consolidate its top-level races under the same banner.
“The move to bring a further 12 of the Longines Top 100 Group One races to a global betting audience of over 25 jurisdictions via World Pool marks the HKJC’s intent to promote premium racing,” said Jockey Club executive director of wagering products Michael Fitzsimons.
“Branding the top Hong Kong races as World Pool makes strategic sense, as it is not just a wagering brand and the aim is to bring the best international races under the World Pool banner.
“With the growing popularity of World Pool, we aim to keep increasing our contribution to racing, which benefits the entire ecosystem.
“So far in the UK, where World Pool has been in operation since 2019, and Ireland, the money that World Pool has generated for racecourses there has surpassed HK$500 million. This will go from strength to strength globally as we grow the World Pool offering.”
Though commingled pools for Hong Kong races started in the 2013-14 season and all Hong Kong races are technically HKJC-hosted commingled pools in the same way as the World Pool, this will be the first time races in Hong Kong have been incorporated into the World Pool schedule.
Hong Kong will become the ninth jurisdiction to host World Pool races, joining the UK, Ireland, Germany, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Australia and Argentina.
Over 25 jurisdictions and 70 partners bet into both the Hong Kong pools and World Pool and, in season 2024-25, 84 of the Top 100 Group One races will be part of World Pool.
“World Pool has provided many benefits to the global horse racing industry including deep and liquid pari-mutuel markets, increased value opportunities, greater certainty of odds and enhanced returns,” said Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.
“World Pool is also a key weapon in the fight against illegal gambling operators and has delivered increased returns to the sport, allowing authorities to invest into prize money and the broader sustainability of horse racing.
“Additionally, World Pool drives promotion of our sport with a heavy focus on the best international events, horses, jockeys and trainers.
“As such, it is timely to add Hong Kong’s best races to the World Pool brand commencing with the four Group One races on HKIR Day.
“We are proud of the HKJC’s world-class racing and the development of World Pool and look forward to the two of them sitting side by side in the future.”
