The June 7 Epsom Derby (G1) resulted in turnover on World Pool bet types of HK$54,403,320 (approx. US$6,931,130) up on 2024's figure of HK$51,760,276, a 5% jump.
Won by the Aidan O'Brien-trained Lambourn, who returned at 10.35 for World Pool punters, the 18-runner classic showed up positively with international punters.
Over 28 jurisdictions were able to bet into World Pool Saturday across the eight races at Epsom, while an additional four races from South Africa were also internationally commingled under the Hong Kong Jockey Club-powered operation.
Turnover for the full eight-race meeting at Epsom was also marginally up on 2024, rising to HK$267.1 million (approx. US$34,029,261) from HK$264.5 million.
The highest turnover race in 2025 remains the Saudi Cup (G1), which saw HK$62.6 million bet as Hong Kong's star horse Romantic Warriorfinished runner-up to Forever Young.
Sam Nati, head of commingling at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: "Given the unsettled weather and a significant non-runner on the day in the shape of Ruling Court, we're delighted to see World Pool turnover figures up on last year and would like to thank Epsom Racecourse and The Jockey Club for all their hard work. Punters were treated to good field sizes throughout the day, and in particular for the Derby, which is always great to see."
Jim Allen, general manager at Epsom Downs Racecourse, commented, "It's fantastic to see the World Pool turnover figures up on last year, with the biggest Derby field since 2017. Lambourn was a great winner, and having such a large field was fantastic for the race and turnover. More broadly, The Jockey Club looks forward to partnering with World Pool for additional races in 2025 and beyond."
World Pool offered great value to UK and Irish customers betting with the Tote on Derby day:
*Tote Win beat Industry SP in 6 of the 8 races, with the Derby winner Lambourn paying 10.35 on World Pool compared to an SP of 13/2
*Tote Exacta beat forecast in 6 out of 8 races
*Tote Trifecta beat Tricast in 4 out of 8 races
Newmarket's Hopeful Stakes added to World Pool schedule
Two races from Newmarket have been approved to run as World Pool events Aug. 22 for the first time, including the listed Hopeful Stakes.
The races will take place on the same day as Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) at York, which is a full World Pool card.
Upcoming World Pool fixtures:
June
Saturday 14: Stradbroke Handicap (G1) day—Eagle Farm Racecourse, Australia (P)
Tuesday 17: Queen Anne Stakes (G1) day—Ascot Racecourse, UK (F)
Wednesday 18: Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) day—Ascot Racecourse, UK (F)
Thursday 19: Gold Cup (G1) day—Ascot Racecourse, UK (F)
Friday 20: Commonwealth Cup (G1) day—Ascot Racecourse, UK (F)
Saturday 21: Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (G1) day—Ascot Racecourse, UK (F)
Sunday 29: Irish Derby (G1) day—Curragh Racecourse, Ireland (F)
July
Saturday 5: Durban July (G1)—Greyville Racecourse, South Africa (S)
Saturday 5: Eclipse Stakes (G1—Sandown Racecourse, UK (S)
Sunday 6: Deutsches Derby (G1)—Hamburg Racecourse, Germany (P)
Saturday 26: King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) day—Ascot Racecourse, UK (F)
Sunday 27: Champions Cup (G1) day—Greyville Racecourse, South Africa (F)
Sunday 27: Grosser Preis Bayerisches Zuchtrennen (G1) day—Munich Racecourse, Germany (P)
Tuesday 29: Goodwood Cup (G1) day—Goodwood Racecourse, UK (F)
Wednesday 30: Sussex Stakes (G1) day—Goodwood Racecourse, UK (F)
Thursday 31: Nassau Stakes (G1) day—Goodwood Racecourse, UK (F)
August
Sunday 3: Preis der Diana (G1)—German Oaks —Dusseldorf Racecourse, Germany (P)
Sunday 10: Grosser Preis von Berlin (G1) day—Hoppegarten Racecourse, Germany (P)
Wednesday 20: International Stakes (G1) day—York Racecourse, UK (F)
Thursday 21: Yorkshire Oaks (G1) day—York Racecourse, UK (F)
Friday 22: Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) day—York Racecourse, UK (F)
Friday 22: Hopeful Stakes day—Newmarket Racecourse, UK (P)
(Dates on the above fixtures list are based on Hong Kong time zone GMT+8.)
*F: Full meeting - World Pool coverage on all races in the relevant meeting
P: Part meeting - World Pool coverage only on selected races in the relevant meeting
S: Single race - World Pool coverage only on this race in the relevant meeting
