All eight races on 2000 Guineas Day will be commingled, with pool betting operators from 28 countries betting into World Pool, and once again there will be seven bet types on offer – Win, Place, Quinella, Quinella Place (Swinger), Forecast (Exacta), Tierce (Trifecta) and Treble (pick the winner in three selected races).
After a record breaking Q1, which saw turnover hit HK$1.27bn (approx. £129 million) across five fixtures – up 70 percent on the same period in 2022 – World Pool now moves into an important period which features some of its biggest fixtures, including the Epsom Derby and all five days of Royal Ascot (20 – 24 June).
Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director, Wagering Products, at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: "We couldn't be happier with the progress we have made with World Pool so far in 2023 as we prepare for the first UK event of the year, 2000 Guineas Day at Newmarket.
"We achieved strong growth at this meeting 12 months ago and we are delighted with the field sizes, with all eight races having 11 or more runners. The combination of top-class Group contests with highly competitive handicaps is a great driver for turnover and we hope to make a strong start before moving on to Newbury, Epsom and Royal Ascot.
"It is also great to welcome back the World Pool Moment of the Day in the UK this weekend. Together with our partners, UK Tote Group, Racecourse Media Group and Ascot Racecourse, we have increased funding for this initiative in 2023 and the winning groom of Saturday's Moment of the Day will receive £4,000."
Alex Frost, Chief Executive of the UK Tote Group, said: "We are looking forward to the 2000 Guineas being a great start to the biggest season yet for World Pool in the UK and Ireland. Last year saw record turnover of £521 million which should be exceeded this year with 18 days, now including Newbury's Lockinge Day and Irish Derby Day.
"The ambitions for a global wagering platform are already being realised with 28 pool betting operators now part of World Pool, showcasing the best of our racing to a global audience, ensuring an improved value proposition for our customers and creating a more sustainable funding mechanism for horseracing in the future, with ever more additional income for our racecourse partners."
Martin Stevenson, Chief Executive Officer of Racecourse Media Group (RMG), which represents the media interests of The Jockey Club, Newbury, Goodwood, and York racecourses, said: "RMG and Newmarket have worked hard on the race programme and, as a result, the eight races have attracted quality, competitive fields ranging from 11 to 23 runners.
"Good field sizes are key to maximising engagement from punters and racefans, and we're delighted with the card, headlined by a high-calibre field of 14 lining up for the 2,000 Guineas.
"RMG looks forward to working with Hong Kong Jockey Club, UK Tote and our racecourses this season in continuing to grow both the sport's revenues and global appeal."
World Pool will again name a Moment of the Day at Newmarket on Saturday, with the winning horse's groom collecting a cheque for HK$40,000 (£4,000) and having the chance to win a VIP trip to Hong Kong by being crowned World Pool Moment of the Year.
This year's 2000 Guineas favourite is the Aidan O'Brien-trained Auguste Rodin, who has been touted as a potential Triple Crown horse, while World Pool ambassador Frankie Dettori will attempt to win a sixth 2000 Guineas in his final year in the saddle aboard the Andrew Balding-trained Chaldean.
Turnover on 2000 Guineas Day in 2022 reached HK$257.7 million (approx. £26.1 million), up 39 percent from HK$185.3 million (approx. £18.8 million) the previous year.
Last year, the Charlie Appleby-trained Coroebus got the better of stablemate Native Trail to claim the 2000 Guineas for Godolphin, a performance that was chosen as the World Pool Moment of the Day.
