HKJC's World Pool tops £50m in returns to British and Irish racing

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has confirmed that its World Pool betting initiative has contributed more than £50 million to British and Irish racecourses since its 2019 launch, according to a release issued by Square in the Air on behalf of the organisation.

Since the World Pool’s debut at Royal Ascot in 2019, 580 races across nine tracks in the UK and Ireland have been globally commingled through the scheme. Host venues include the Curragh, Epsom Downs, Goodwood, Leopardstown, Newbury, Newmarket, Sandown Park, York and Ascot.

The programme has expanded significantly since launch, growing from 30 races at Royal Ascot in 2019 to 135 races across nine courses in 2024. This year saw the English and Irish 1000 Guineas added as World Pool fixtures for the first time, alongside the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup.

The £50 million milestone arrives ahead of the final fixture of the 2024 British and Irish Flat season, due to take place at Ascot on QIPCO British Champions Day.

Grassroots and jockey initiatives

Beyond racecourse funding, the HKJC and its partners have backed the World Pool Moment of the Day scheme for three seasons, aimed at recognising grooms working behind the scenes in the sport. Winning grooms receive a £4,000 cash prize and the possibility of a VIP visit to Hong Kong.

This year also marked the launch of the World Pool UK & Ireland Jockeys’ Championship, with the winning jockey donating £50,000 to a charity of their choice. Standings are determined by World Pool win dividends across UK and Irish races. With one meeting remaining, Billy Loughnane leads the standings on 187.50 points following notable wins during Royal Ascot and York’s Ebor Festival, ahead of Oisin Murphy on 97.25 points.

Industry comment

Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director, Wagering Products at the HKJC, said the initiative had grown substantially since 2019 and that continued investment was expected to support prize money and field quality across the sport.

Alex Frost, Chief Executive of UK Tote Group, said World Pool had progressed from concept to a scheme with tangible impact on the financial sustainability of British and Irish racing, adding that the Tote intended to continue expanding the initiative under its long-term partnership with the HKJC.

Figures released alongside the announcement show that in 2024, World Pool covered 135 UK and Irish races across nine tracks, alongside 94 races in 15 other territories including Australia, Germany, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.