World Pool turnover rockets 70% year on year in Q1 2023
Commingled liquidity across five race days in the opening quarter of the year sees the total amount staked soar to HK$1.27bn
The Hong Kong Jockey Club-operated World Pool has announced that Q1 turnover hit HK$1.27bn (£130.55m) across its first five fixtures of the year, which was a 70% year-on-year (YoY) increase.
Global commingled bets from over 20 countries saw an average of HK$254m staked on each of the five race meetings.
The five races in Q1 were Met Day, Lightning Stakes Day, The Saudi Cup, Dubai Super Saturday and the Dubai World Cup.
The Dubai World Cup recorded the highest turnover of any race in Q1, with HK$54.5m. The Saudi Cup was in second with HK$48.4m and the Dubai Sheema Classic claimed bronze with turnover of HK$46.5m.
Met Day, Dubai Super Saturday and the Dubai World Cup all saw growth in Q1, with the Saudi Cup seeing the highest amount of growth of 12% YoY.
Lightning Stakes Day and The Saudi Cup were new events for 2023 and saw strong turnover of HK$253m and HK$197.8m, respectively.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s executive director of wagering products, Michael Fitzsimons said: “World Pool continues to grow year on year, and results from Q1 have been excellent, with growth across all fixtures as well as strong turnover at new fixtures that were added this year.
“We now look forward to returning to the UK for a busy Q2 period, which includes all five days of Royal Ascot, where we have seen our strongest turnover figures in the past.
“We’re hopeful of building on the strong performance of Q1 while continuing to offer an unrivalled product in terms of liquidity and value for punters around the world,” he added.
World Pool will next be up and running for 2000 Guineas Day from Newmarket on 6 May, one of eight UK fixtures in the second quarter of 2023.
It will also be in operation for Derby Day in June, all five days of Royal Ascot and will also make its debut at Newbury for the Lockinge Stakes.
The Commonwealth Day from last year’s Royal Ascot holds the record for the highest turnover, with stakes amounting to HK351.8m across the seven-race card.