World Pool turnover on overseas races soars to new high

World Pool turnover on overseas races, that is those meetings internationally commingled from outside Hong Kong, grew by 20 per cent in 2025.

The total amount bet into the Hong Kong Jockey Club-powered pools across 57 overseas racedays in 2025 totalled HK$9.3bn, up from HK$7.8bn in 2024.

Last year also saw a new record set for the highest single race turnover for World Pool bet types. Ka Ying Rising’s appearance in The Everest saw betting surge to a total of HK$83m, smashing the previous high of HK$66.2m wagered on the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes in 2023 when Hong Kong sprinter Wellington lined up.

The year saw 329 races run under the World Pool banner, 70 of which were positioned in the IFHA Top 100 within the last three years, across 10 jurisdictions.

For the first time, all Hong Kong’s Group 1 contests were run as World Pool races, accounting for HK$1.6bn and taking the total turnover for all World Pool races to HK$10.9bn.

Meanwhile, World Pool’s popular Moment of the Day initiative saw HK$1.2m awarded to 30 different grooms on World Pool racedays throughout the year.

Kevin Daffy, who trains, owns and leads up Australian galloper Oh Too Good, was voted World Pool Moment of the Year after the horse’s triumph in the G3 Jewellers Vase on Might And Power Stakes Day at Caulfield. Daffy will follow in the footsteps of 2024’s winner, David Hickey – groom of City Of Troy – in enjoying a VIP trip for four to Hong Kong in 2026.

Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said:“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.

“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.

“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.”

World Pool returns in 2026 with King’s Plate Day from South Africa on 10 January. For upcoming fixtures and further information,  click here.