Hong Kong Jockey Club’s commingled betting system posts strong growth on non-local races, boosted by new jurisdictions, additional racedays and a record-breaking single-race performance
The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s World Pool delivered a strong performance in 2025, recording significant year-on-year growth as the global wagering system expanded both its international footprint and the number of races offered to bettors worldwide. The increase was primarily driven by a broader racing calendar and deeper participation from overseas jurisdictions, reinforcing World Pool’s position as a key engine of liquidity in global horse racing.
Turnover on non-Hong Kong races rose by nearly 20% compared with the previous year, reflecting the expansion of internationally commingled meetings from 48 in 2024 to 57 in 2025. This increase in racedays translated directly into higher betting volumes, with turnover climbing from HK$7.8bn to HK$9.3bn. The growth highlights sustained demand for high-quality international racing content when supported by large, unified betting pools.
One of the defining moments of the year came with the participation of elite Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising in The Everest at Randwick Racecourse in Australia. The race generated HK$83m in World Pool turnover, setting a new single-race record for the commingled system. This figure comfortably surpassed the previous high of HK$66.2m, achieved during the 2023 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, and underscored the commercial impact of featuring globally recognisable horses on premier racing stages.
Andrew Harding, Executive Director of Racing at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said the results demonstrate the growing momentum behind the World Pool model and its value to the wider racing ecosystem. He noted that higher turnover directly benefits racecourses, rights holders and participants through increased revenue distribution and prize money, while also encouraging closer international collaboration between racing authorities.
World Pool’s expansion was not limited to overseas fixtures. In 2025, all Group 1 races staged in Hong Kong were included in the commingled offering for the first time, generating HK$1.6bn in turnover. When combined with international meetings, total World Pool wagering for the year reached HK$10.9bn.
Across the full calendar, 329 races in ten jurisdictions were conducted under the World Pool banner. With performance metrics trending upward, the Hong Kong Jockey Club is expected to announce further fixture additions for the 2026 season as it continues to extend the system’s global reach and strengthen the commercial foundations of international racing.
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