World Pool Sets New Record and Offers Unmatched Value at Royal Ascot

World Pool, the renowned global horse racing pool developed and managed by the HKJC, delivered unprecedented value to customers worldwide during the Royal Ascot event. The Tote+ Win emerged victorious against the SP in an impressive 83% of the 35 races held throughout the five-day meeting.

The highlight of Saturday's races, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, made history by generating a record-breaking turnover for a single race in the World Pool. Bettors poured HK$66.2 million (£6.6m) into the pool, surpassing the previous HK$66.1 million set during the 2022 Derby.

The Commonwealth Cup on Friday and the Ribblesdale Stakes on Thursday also experienced substantial pool turnovers of HK$50.5 million (£5.1m) each. Saturday's total turnover reached an impressive HK$323.4 million (£32.5m), securing the third-highest World Pool day of all time, following last year's Friday (HK$351.8m) and Saturday (HK$340.9m) at Royal Ascot 2022.

Royal Ascot 2023 witnessed a total World Pool turnover of HK$1.5 billion (£154m), a mere fraction below the previous year's total of HK$1.6 billion, which marked a notable 35% increase from 2021.

Exceptional value was a hallmark of the Tote for customers at Royal Ascot. The collaboration of global Totes, attracting bettors from 28 countries, led to enormous liquidity and excellent value for racing enthusiasts. The Tote offered an array of exceptional benefits throughout the 35 races:

• Tote+ Win outperformed the SP in 29 of the 35 races while matching it in the remaining six races with Tote Guarantee in place online.
• Tote+ Win overround stood at 106% compared to the SP overround of 125%.
• Tote+ Exacta surpassed the Forecast (1-2) in 32 out of 35 races, delivering an average payout 85% higher.
• Tote+ Trifecta outperformed the Tricast (1-2-3) in 29 out of 32 races, offering an average payout of more than double the Tricast.

Furthermore, World Pool introduced the "Moment of the Day" prize at Royal Ascot, rewarding winning grooms with a total of £20,000. Each winning groom received £4,000 for their exceptional performance, up from £1,000 in 2022. Additionally, they had the chance to compete for the prestigious "Moment of the Year" award, with the possibility of winning a VIP trip to Hong Kong in 2024. The winning grooms for each day of Royal Ascot were Sydney Cale, Viktor Konya, Jack Abbey, Page Harrison, and Babu Singh.

In a significant development, the HKJC announced the renewal of its five-year World Pool partnership agreement with Ascot Racecourse, solidifying their commitment to promoting racing as a global sport. The partnership, initiated in 2019 with the UK Tote, will extend from July 1, 2023, until 2028. This followed the UK Tote signing an exclusive five-year agreement with the HKJC at the beginning of the week, making them the sole partner for World Pool in the UK and Ireland.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, expressed his satisfaction with the exceptional racing at Royal Ascot and the progress achieved with World Pool partnerships worldwide. He emphasized the enthusiasm shown by international racing fans and the success of international collaboration in delivering top-quality racing.

Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director of Wagering Products at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said:

Royal Ascot delivered an unforgettable five days of world-class sport for racing fans worldwide, and we are delighted with the turnover figures and clear value proposition that World Pool has offered. Thursday will live long in the memory with Their Majesties, The King and The Queen, enjoying their first Royal Ascot winner and our World Pool ambassador Frankie Dettori winning the Gold Cup in his final ride in the race.

Alastair Warwick, CEO of Ascot Racecourse, celebrated the record-breaking turnover in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes and praised the impact of overseas challengers. He thanked the HKJC for their representation at Ascot and dedication to delivering an exceptional racing experience.

Alex Frost, CEO of the UK Tote Group, hailed the incredible racing at Royal Ascot and emphasized the exceptional value provided by the Tote. He noted the doubling of UK digital volumes in the pool, demonstrating the recognition of the Tote's unmatched value by racing fans. Frost thanked the HKJC for their leadership in World Pool and affirmed their commitment to growing the pool betting experience.

Royal Ascot 2023 concluded as a truly magnificent event, marked by exceptional achievements, record-breaking turnover, and unbeatable value for bettors. The collaboration between the HKJC, Ascot Racecourse, and the UK Tote promises a bright future for the growth and development of World Pool in the years to come.