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World Pool, one of the world’s largest commingled horse race pools, created by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and powered by it, got off to a good start on Sunday at the Curragh in Ireland, and in Hamburg, with HK$246,9 million (EUR28,9m/PS24.9m), spread across eight races in Ireland, and the Deutsches Derby – the first World Pool race ever in Germany.
In the Irish Derby, Auguste Rodin gave his trainer Aidan O’Brien a 100 th success. Fantastic Moon imitated his sire Sea The Moon and won the Deutsches Derby in honor of Rene Piechulek’s Arc-winning rider and Sarah Steinberg’s partner.
Tote+ Win beat SP in six out of eight races at Irish Derby Day, and Tote+ Win was 107% overround compared to the industry SP overround.
Three large overpayments were recorded: Harry’s Hill, Race 3 – Rockingham Handicap paid 20.63 on Tote against 14/1 (+38%); Bold Discovery, Race 7 – Celebration Stakes paid 27.89 against 18/1 (+47%); and Safecracker, Race 8 – Ragusa Handicap, paid 11.99 against 15/2 (41%).
Megan Hassett was the winner of the EUR4,000 World Pool Moment of the Day. She is the groom of Harry’s Hill and won the Rockingham Handicap with a tight finish. Megan, who is trained by her father Martin as well as ridden by Wayne her cousin, will be entered in the World Pool Moment of the year where she can win a VIP trip next year to Hong Kong.
Michael Fitzsimons is the Executive Director of Wagering Products at the Hong Kong Jockey Club.said that it was a very pleasing start for our first World Pool race ever in Germany, the Deutsches Derby, and our first meeting ever at the Curragh, on Irish Derby Day.
The racing was great, with lots of group races and handicap races, and many interesting stories all day long. We want to thank our partners for their support and look forward to expanding this event in the future.
Brian Kavanagh is the Chief Executive Officer of The Curragh Racecourse. He said that the Curragh Racecourse participated in the Tote World Pool last Sunday for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Meeting. We were thrilled with the patrons’ response.
Auguste Rodin won the Irish Derby and the Epsom Derby, giving Aidan O’Brien his 100 th European Classic and Ryan Moore his first Irish Derby win.
“World Pool betting was popular among Irish and international bettors, with a total turnover of EUR25.8m on the day, with online Win dividends exceeding SP for six races, while matching the Tote Guarantee on the other two.”
Jason Morris from HRI, Director of Racing and Strategic Projects said: “Horse Racing Ireland and Tote Ireland are extremely happy with the results of the first Tote World Pool held at the Curragh Racecourse. This is both in terms the winning dividends and overall turnover levels, on and off the course.
We look forward to growing international interest through our excellent relationship and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Team.
Gerhard Schoeningh Chair of German Racecourse Association said: “The German Derby is the first World Pool for us, and we’re delighted to have been able to show off our best staying horses to an international audience. The increased pool size has also resulted in a 33% increase in German stakes compared to the previous year.
World Pool customers will be able to see the 2400 metre Derby horses in action in the Grand Prix races this summer and fall, including the Grosser Preis von Berlin race on 13 August.
