World Pool, the largest commingled horse racing pools created and powered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), will return to the UK for the first time this year on Saturday for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas Day at Newmarket. It will be the first of eight UK fixtures World Pool will offer in the second quarter of the year.
All eight races on 2000 Guineas Day will be commingled, with pool betting operators from 28 countries betting into World Pool on seven different wager type–win, place, quinella, quinella place (swinger), forecast (exacta), tierce (trifecta) and treble (pick three).
World Pool will again name a Moment of the Day at Newmarket on Saturday, with the winning horse's groom collecting a cheque for HK$40,000 (£4,000) and a chance to win a VIP trip to Hong Kong if named World Pool Moment of the Year.
Turnover on 2000 Guineas Day in 2022 reached HK$257.7 million (approx. £26.1 million), up 39% from HK$185.3 million (approx. £18.8 million) the previous year.
Other World Pool Fixtures in the UK set for this year include the G1 Lockinge S. at Newbury on May 20, the G1 Epsom Derby on June 3 and all five days of Royal Ascot, June 20-24.
“We couldn't be happier with the progress we have made with World Pool so far in 2023 as we prepare for the first UK event of the year, 2000 Guineas Day at Newmarket,” Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director, Wagering Products at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said. We achieved strong growth at this meeting 12 months ago and we are delighted with the field sizes, with all eight races having 11 or more runners. The combination of top-class group contests with highly competitive handicaps is a great driver for turnover and we hope to make a strong start before moving on to Newbury, Epsom and Royal Ascot.”
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