SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan over the weekend saw the World Pool’s globally commingled turnover reach HK$315,177,810 (approx. $40.1m).
This figure is a rise of $33.6m (approx. $4.2m per race) across the eight-race card, compared to 2022.
The feature competition, which was won by Japanese raider Ushba Tesoro, saw the highest turnover of the evening, with pari-mutuel organisations from more than 20 countries betting HK$54,521,829 (approx. $6.9m) on the G1 contest.
That figure meant that it also became World Pool’s highest turnover race of 2023 so far, surpassing the HK$48.4m (approx. $6.1m) wagered on The Saudi Cup in February.
Moreover, there was strong turnover on the two races that preceded the Dubai World Cup too, with HK$46,031,449 (approx. $5.8m) bet on the G1 Dubai Turf.
This saw Lord North, ridden by Frankie Dettori, succeed in first place, while the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic reported turnover of HK$46,460,790 (approx. $5.9m).
That race was won by Equinox – Japan’s Horse of the Year – who as a result was selected as the World Pool Moment of the Day.
His groom now gains entry into the World Pool Moment of the Year competition, as well as a prize of HK$40,000.
Similarly, also at Meydan, Dubai’s Super Saturday on 4 March saw the World Pool’s global turnover reach notably high figures – specifically HK$224,802,517 ($28.6m) across the eight races.
This value was an increase of HK$18.9m (approx. $2.4m) on the 2022 edition of the flat racing tournament, with the Ras Al Khor conditions race having the highest turnover of them all.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) revealed that pari-mutuel organisations from over 20 countries contributed to the HK$33,518,763 (approx. $4.3m) wagered on the competition, which was won by Godolphin’s Al Suhail.
Alex Frost, UK Tote Group CEO, spoke to SBC Leaders about the positive impact that the World Pool has had on racing. He said: “There are more than 20 countries that are working together in World Pool on a regular basis to explore opportunities to make the pools more effective and more appealing to bettors.
“There is also a lot of intellectual capital, data, international connections and technology, and there is the set revenue stream from the sport that comes directly from the pool which ultimately benefits everybody.
He concluded: “If you look at how transformative World Pool has already been in the past two years and annualise that growth trajectory, racing will be in a phenomenal place. World Pool can close the gaps, but it needs everyone to get behind it.”
World Pool is next in operation on 2000 Guineas Day at Newmarket in the UK on Saturday 6 May 2023.
