Saturday's G1 Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan saw World Pool's globally commingled turnover hit HK$315,177,810 (approx. $40.1m) across the eight-race card, a rise of $33.6 million (approx. $4.2m) over 2022.
The $12 million feature, won by Japanese raider Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), drew the highest handle of the night, with pari-mutuel organisations from over 20 countries betting HK$54,521,829 (approx. $6.9m) on the race. It became World Pool's highest turnover race of 2023 so far, surpassing the HK$48.4m (approx. $6.1m) wagered on the G1 Saudi Cup in February.
The two races that preceded the Dubai World Cup–the G1 Dubai Turf won by Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic won by Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) also saw large turnover, with HK$46,031,449 (approx. $5.8m) and HK$46,460,790 (approx. $5.9m) wagered, respectively.
Equinox's win was selected as the World Pool Moment of the Day and his groom will receive a prize of HK$40,000 as well as entry into the World Pool Moment of the Year competition, which rewards the winner with a VIP trip to Hong Kong.
World Pool is next in operation on G1 2000 Guineas Day at Newmarket on May 6.
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