World Pool turnover jumps as HKJC expands global reach
World Pool turnover on overseas races grew by 20 percent in 2025 as the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC)-powered commingled betting platform continued to expand its international reach. The increase was driven by a higher number of racedays and jurisdictions participating in World Pool, alongside record-breaking wagering on selected flagship races.
According to the HKJC, total turnover on overseas races, defined as meetings internationally commingled from outside Hong Kong, reached HKD9.3 billion ($1.2 billion) in 2025. This compares with HKD7.8 billion ($1 billion) recorded in 2024, reflecting the impact of broader fixture coverage and rising engagement from global racing audiences.
In 2025, 57 overseas race meetings were commingled into World Pool, up from 48 the previous year. HKJC said these meetings spanned 10 jurisdictions, underlining the platform’s role in linking betting markets across regions and time zones.
Record single-race turnover set at The Everest
The club said that one of the standout moments of 2025 came at Randwick Racecourse, where Ka Ying Rising’s victory in The Everest delivered a new record for World Pool turnover in a single race. Betting on the race reached HKD83 million ($10.6 million), surpassing the previous high of HKD66.2 million ($8.5 million) set during the 2023 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, when Hong Kong sprinter Wellington competed.
HKJC said that The Everest result highlighted the appeal of top-tier international races featuring horses familiar to Hong Kong bettors. It added that this also demonstrated how World Pool can concentrate global liquidity on marquee events, creating deeper pools and more competitive dividends.
Across the year, a total of 329 races were run under the World Pool banner. Of these, 70 races had been ranked in the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) Top 100 within the past three years, reflecting the emphasis on high-profile fixtures with international interest.
All Hong Kong Group 1 races included
Moreover, for the first time, all of Hong Kong’s Group 1 races were run as World Pool events in 2025. These races generated HKD1.6 billion ($205.4 million) in turnover, contributing to total World Pool turnover of HKD10.9 billion ($1.4 billion) across all races for the year, including both local and overseas fixtures.
The HKJC said that the inclusion of every Hong Kong Group 1 contest marked a milestone in the integration of the city’s elite racing programme into the global commingled system. It also provided international bettors with access to Hong Kong’s top-level races through a unified pool structure.
“It’s been a very positive year for World Pool. We’ve had more racedays and jurisdictions involved than ever before, and we’ve seen turnover records broken too,” Andrew Harding, Executive Director for Racing at HKJC, said.
Harding also pointed to the broader impact of the platform on the sport. “World Pool’s growth over the past 12 months has played a key role in the globalisation of racing and all the benefits that come with that, not least the increased revenue streams for racecourses and rights holders, which leads to greater prize money,” he added.
Moment of the Day rewards
Beyond betting turnover, HKJC said that World Pool’s Moment of the Day initiative continued to recognise behind-the-scenes contributors to racing. In 2025, a total of HKD1.2 million ($154,080) was awarded to 30 different grooms on World Pool racedays.
Kevin Daffy, who trains, owns, and leads up Australian galloper Oh Too Good, was voted World Pool Moment of the Year. As part of the award, Daffy will receive a VIP trip for four to Hong Kong in 2026, following in the footsteps of 2024 winner David Hickey, groom of City of Troy. The initiative has become a regular feature of World Pool racedays, offering financial rewards and international exposure to stable staff whose work often goes unseen by the betting public.
HKJC outlook for 2026
World Pool is set to return in 2026 with King’s Plate Day from South Africa on 10 January, signalling continued expansion into the new year. Harding said the HKJC remains confident about the platform’s direction.
“Heading into 2026, we’re confident that World Pool will continue to act as a positive force for racing globally, and we will be confirming an expansion of fixtures very soon, bringing World Pool to even more racing fans in the new year,” he said.
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