Day two of Royal Ascot records its highest ever World Pool turnover as overall figures increase on last year's meeting

A record second day at Royal Ascot last week helped World Pool turnover at the meeting increase by ten per cent compared to last year, it has been revealed.

Overall World Pool turnover across all bet types for the five-day meeting reached nearly HK$1.58 billion (approx £150 million). Wednesday's card produced a best-ever figure of HK$330.7m, while turnover was up year-on-year for every day of the fixture.

World Pool was first launched by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and Ascot at the 2019 royal meeting and now covers top-class events from across the globe.

HKJC head of commingling Sam Nati said: "Royal Ascot 2025 was a great success in every way and certainly from a World Pool perspective as well. Turnover was strong and only marginally below 2022, which was inflated due to Covid. In terms of quality, quantity and competitiveness, the fields were fantastic all week. 

"There was also some good international representation, both in the horses running and the jockeys taking part, so it was a good mix of key factors for both local and overseas punters."

Never Let Go: biggest World Pool overpay at Royal AscotCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Ascot's chief executive Felicity Barnard said she was thrilled the course had been able to be "a window to the world for British racing".

She added: "The World Pool numbers really reflect that and it’s great to see such an uplift in turnover year-on-year. There was also some real value for customers on and off site which showcases the benefits of World Pool and increased liquidity for everyone."

Kieran Shoemark's win on Never Let Go in the Sandringham Stakes was the biggest World Pool win overpay at the meeting, returning a dividend of 30.35 against a 22-1 starting price. Shoemark's Jersey Stakes victory on Noble Champion returned the biggest World Pool win dividend of 33.20.

World Pool combines tote pools from around the world and has created a valuable new revenue stream for a number of courses through media rights payments. Last autumn it was announced the project had contributed more than £50m to the British and Irish courses involved since its launch.

The next World Pool raceday is Sunday's Irish Derby card at the Curragh. Ascot's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes day next month will also be under the World Pool banner, as are the first three days of both Glorious Goodwood and York's Ebor meeting later this summer.

Read more:

World Pool turnover on the Derby increases but exchange rate means a drop in real-term value 

Royal Ascot's best - and worst - performing betting races revealed 

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