World Pool turnover on Saturday's G1 British Champions S. Day at Ascot totalled HK$202.7 million (£21.4 million), bringing the figure for all races in 2023 commingled during the 19 World Pool days in the UK in and Ireland to HK$4.7 billion (£475 million).
G1 King George S. Day at Ascot in July saw the biggest jump in turnover, rising from HK$253 million to a new record of HK$287 million, an increase of over 13%, while 2000 Guineas Day in May and Royal Ascot's first and third days in June also posted year-on-year increases.
The overall total is only marginally down on 2022's figure of HK$4.9 billion, but still significantly up over 2021's figure of HK$3.9 billion.
Prize-money won across the 131 World Pool races in the UK and Ireland this year hit a record high of £32 million, while the £4,000 awarded for each of the 17 World Pool Moment of the Day winners totalled £68,000.
Saturday's G1 Caulfield Cup broke the record for the highest turnover on a World Pool race in Australia with HK$54.24 million (AUD$10.98 million) bet into the pool, eclipsing the HKD$51.54 million (AUD$10.43 million) bet on the previous weekend's Everest. Only two World Pool races this year–the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee S. and the G1 Dubai World Cup–have had bigger pools.
“We are really pleased with how World Pool has been received in the UK and Ireland again this year and the turnover figures look strong against a challenging economic backdrop,” Michael Fitzsimons, executive director, Wagering Products of the HKJC, said. “There are many more opportunities for growth in the UK and Ireland and we look forward to being able to roll out World Pool at even more of the season's flagship race days. Having the Lockinge, the Irish Derby and the Sun Chariot as World Pool events for the first time this year worked really well, and we look forward to adding more days in the future.”
Alex Frost, Chief Executive of the UK Tote, commented, “We are delighted that British and Irish racing has enjoyed such a successful World Pool season in 2023. It is incredibly positive to see revenues from World Pool supporting racecourses' investment in prize-money which was at a new record of £32 million for World Pool races this year. This highlights the increasingly important role pool betting is playing the in the future sustainability of the sport.”
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