The Hong Kong Jockey Club, UK Tote Group, The Jockey Club and its media rights partner, Racecourse Media Group (RMG), are delighted to confirm the QIPCO 2000 Guineas Day at Newmarket and Derby Day at Epsom Downs will be World Pool events in 2021.
They join the five days of Royal Ascot and QIPCO British Champions Day which were both World Pool events in 2020, with the Royal meeting being the first ever World Pool event the previous year.
In 2021 the QIPCO 2000 Guineas will be run on Saturday 1st May and the Derby on Saturday 5th June. Both days are well-known to betting audiences around the world, including in Hong Kong where the races have proved extremely popular. RMG, working with The Jockey Club, has facilitated the simulcast of Derby Day in Hong Kong for over 10 years now, in which time turnover has increased by 118% since 2012. RMG has also ensured that QIPCO 2000 Guineas Day has received excellent exposure in Hong Kong, with handle having grown by 94% since 2017.
World Pool ensures there are larger deeper pools, smoothing pricing and driving an increase in value for customers, as racing fans from around the world bet into a single pool. World Pool at Royal Ascot in 2019 saw pools grow by over 400% to £92.2 million, and last year there was a further 50% increase to £137 million. The increased liquidity from a global customer base helped create greater value for Tote customers with the pool price beating the Starting Price (SP) by 32% in 2019 and 9% in 2020.
In 2021, Tote customers will continue to benefit from the better odds generated by increased liquidity due to World Pool. In addition, Tote customers can be assured of always receiving the best odds available with Tote Guarantee in place for every UK and Irish race. Tote Guarantee ensures the Tote will always match the industry Starting Price (SP) or exceed it if the pool price is bigger on all Win bets and is available to all customers betting on tote.co.uk.
John Williamson, Chairman of the UK Tote Group, said: “As the UK Tote, we are incredibly proud of our partnership with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and greatly admire the pioneering approach of Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and the Hong Kong Jockey Club team in bringing together pool betting operators from around the world.
“Having more World Pool days on British race meetings in 2021 highlights the strength and depth of the sport in Great Britain. This was underlined earlier this year when the Juddmonte International Stakes at York Racecourse was confirmed as the Longines top flat race in the world in 2020, with British racing currently staging 22 of the top hundred races, more than any other racing nation.
“These are challenging times for British racing but with racecourses, media rights companies and the Tote able to come together with international partners to utilise pool betting and showcase British racing to an international audience, we have a crucial opportunity to boost the sport’s fan base and increase betting revenues, this year and beyond.”
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “We were delighted with the first two years of World Pool and are grateful to the Hong Kong Government for approving further simulcast days in 2021. British racing hosts some of the most prestigious racing in the world and we are pleased to be able to extend World Pool to the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and Derby racedays, alongside Royal Ascot and British Champions Day. We look forward to continuing to work together with the Tote and all in British racing as we confirm further World Pool days in order to grow pool betting and showcase the best racing in the world to international racing audiences.”
Nick Mills, Chief Commercial Officer of Racecourse Media Group, said, “RMG is delighted to play its part in ensuring the QIPCO 2000 Guineas Day and Derby Day are World Pool events. We look forward to working with The Jockey Club in delivering a truly worldwide betting audience through the Hong Kong Jockey Club and our international network of pool operators. RMG is excited about showcasing more World Pool events from RMG courses in the future.”
Nevin Truesdale, Chief Executive of The Jockey Club, said: “The QIPCO 2000 Guineas and the Derby are two of the most compelling and competitive flat races anywhere in the world, so it is great news that their global appeal for racing fans will be complemented by the opportunity to bet on them through World Pool. Our thanks go to the UK Tote Group, Hong Kong Jockey Club and our partners at RMG for their assistance in facilitating this exciting development, one which we hope will add to the enjoyment of two of our flagship fixtures for those watching across the globe.”