Saturday's Saudi Cup card earned HK$197,800,866 ($25.5m) in globally commingled turnover via pari-mutuel organisations from over 20 countries, the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool announced on Tuesday.
The day's showpiece, the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup, was the most bet contest on the day at HK$48,388,160 ($6.2m), higher than any race commingled at either of the first two World Pool racedays of the year in South Africa and Australia. It was won by Japan's Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}). Other highlights included World Pool ambassador Frankie Dettori winning the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint aboard Elite Power (Curlin). Yasuhiro Ikeda, the groom of Panthalassa, will receive a cheque for HK$40,000 ($5,100), as his charge's victory was selected as the World Pool Moment of the Day.
Sam Nati, Head of Comminging at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said, “Hitting almost HK$200million on a six-race card is really positive, particularly with The Saudi Cup itself generating the highest single-race turnover of 2023 so far. The combination of good field sizes, competitive races and a great mix of horses and jockeys from across the globe made the meeting a real spectacle for punters.”
The next World Pool day is on Super Saturday, Mar. 4, in Dubai.
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