Ascot and Hong Kong gearing up for commingling venture

Commingling was a timely key word used by presenters at a session on global wagering challenges at the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities annual conference last week, coming just 24 hours after two astonishing examples of what the partnership process can achieve in international markets.

Figures released by the French operator the PMU revealed that punters in Japan produced a pool equivalent to €19 million (£16.6m) on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, while those betting in Hong Kong on four races at the meeting turned over €11.7m (£10.25m).

Japanese interest in the Arc has grown alongside its owners' hitherto unsuccessful attempts to win the race, and last week's turnover, although down on the previous year’s total of €26m (£22.8m), was a considerable sum, given that Clincher, the one Japanese-trained runner, started at 100-1 in the UK industry odds market.