Royal Ascot sets new record as World Pool turnover hits £168m
Group 1 Coronation Stakes generates new high of £6.6m on a single race through comingled liquidity on global Totes
A total of £168m was bet into the World Pool across Royal Ascot last week, which was a 35% increase on the £123.9m achieved in 2021.
The three largest pools at the five-day meeting were on the Friday’s Coronation Stakes (£6.6m), the Platinum Jubilee Stakes on Saturday (£6.4m) and the Gold Cup on Thursday (£6.1m).
The £6.6m bet on the Coronation Stakes – a seven-furlong Group 1 which was won by the favourite Inspiral – made it the biggest World Pool on a British race ever.
The World Pool is a collaboration of global Totes, including the UK Tote, although the lion’s share of the liquidity is provided by the vast sums wagered by Hong Kong-based bettors.
This was the fourth year that the Royal Ascot World Pool has been offered to racing punters, both on the Berkshire racecourse and remotely.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “Royal Ascot once again produced exceptional racing, which was reflected in numerous World Pool turnover records.
“It is clear that international racing fans have embraced the quality and depth of fields across the five days.”
Meanwhile, Guy Henderson, CEO at Ascot Racecourse, said he was “thrilled” with the turnover levels achieved.
He added: “I must say a huge thank you to all our colleagues at the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the UK Tote for their continued hard work in ensuring that everything runs smoothly through the week.
“In my time at Ascot, the World Pool has been one of the most innovative initiatives we have been involved in and these new partnerships have proved hugely beneficial to racing at Ascot and the wider industry.”
The bumper pools at Royal Ascot come hard on the heels of record volumes bet into the World Pool on the Oaks and Derby at Epsom earlier this month.
Just under £5m was bet on the Oaks, while the Derby attracted £5.2m, which was a new record up until Royal Ascot.
A total of £48.9m was bet into the World pool across the two days at the Surrey track.