Qipco British Champions Day confirmed as a World Pool event

Qipco British Champions Day will be a World Pool event with the six races on the Ascot card forming part of a global betting pool.

The UK, Hong Kong, Australia and the US are among 20 nations that will bet into the single pool, in which wagers were boosted from £92.2 million to £137 million at Royal Ascot this year.

The meeting on October 17 features four Group 1 contests, including the Champions Sprint, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Champion Stakes sponsored by Qipco.

Nick Smith, director of racing and communications at Ascot, said: "It's fantastic news and in the absence of regular crowds these are the things that will have some impact over the next couple of months.

"The World Pool was extremely successful over the last two Royal Ascot meetings and it wouldn't be possible without the strength of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Pool. It's a big endorsement of the progress Qipco British Champions Day has made that Hong Kong is so interested in the World Pool taking place on this day.

"Hong Kong's pool is so big that no one in the world can compete with it and anybody who can partner into that vehicle is on to a winning formula."

New Jersey bans whip for all bar safety use

New Jersey has become the first state in the US to ban the whip for all bar safety reasons with the new rules set to be enforced from next year.

Any jockey or exercise rider that breaks the rules will be subject to a fine, suspension or potentially forfeiting their share of prize-money if stewards deem a better placing was achieved due to the unauthorised use of the whip.

Jockeys will only be permitted to use the whip for the purpose of ensuring the immediate safety of horse or rider.

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