Newbury Racecourse’s premier Flat fixture – the Group 1 BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes on Saturday 17th May – will welcome the return of the Racecourse’s Hong Kong Garden.
Last year’s corresponding fixture saw five of the day’s races feature in the World Pool with this set to increase to all eight races in 2025 as the Racecourse aligns more closely with the largest globally commingled horse racing pools created and powered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
As in 2024 – and to mark World Pool’s increased presence at Newbury, and its origins – the Racecourse will be celebrating the very best of Hong Kong, with the Hong Kong Garden playing host to a range of entertainment, music, dance, live performances and themed food and drink.
Shaun Hinds, Chief Executive Officer at Newbury Racecourse, said: ‘’We are delighted to have extended our partnership with World Pool to cover all eight races, up from five last year, on BoyleSports Lockinge Day. Following the successful and popular introduction of the Hong Kong Garden in 2024, we are pleased it is returning this year.”
World Pool – created and powered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club in partnership with the UK Tote and global totes – enables bettors from all over the globe to bet into a single pool. The result is significant liquidity, a multi-million-pound betting experience and new revenue for the sport.
In the UK and Ireland, World Pool is accessed via the Tote. Bets can be placed on World Pool events at the Racecourse, online at tote.co.uk – or tote.ie for Irish customers – as well as at the Tote App or via bookmakers, the majority of whom accept Tote bets online and in shops.
The seven World Pool bet types available are:
- Win (Single Leg bet) – Pick the winner of the race
- Place (Single Leg bet) – Pick a horse to be placed. Hong Kong place terms apply
- Exacta (Single Leg bet) – Pick the first two horses in the correct order
- Trifecta (Single Leg bet) – Also known as the Tierce. Select the winner, the second, and the third horse in the correct order
- Quinella (Single Leg bet) – Select the first two finishers in either order
- Swinger (Single Leg bet) – Also known as the Quinella Place, pick two horses to finish first, second or third in any order
- Treble (Multi Leg bet) – Pick the first horse in the last three races
Sam Nati, Head of Commingling at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “Great Britian was the start of the journey for World Pool back in 2019 at Royal Ascot. We’ve added a further nine countries since then, but we are still expanding in the UK as well. While the Lockinge Stakes has been on the roster for the past two years, it’s elevation to full meeting status in 2025 is an acknowledgement of the Club’s commitment and hard work.
“When you take a look at the honour roll of the Lockinge Stakes it not only contains some wonderful champions, but very often serves as a precursor to what’s to come over the summer. So, I really look forward to seeing who will carry that banner forward in 2025.”
Alex Frost, Chief Executive of the UK Tote Group, said: “It is fantastic to see Newbury celebrating the culture of Hong Kong again on what is set to be a top-class day of racing. It is important to recognise that international cooperation is at the heart of World Pool and essential to the further growth and success of this important revenue stream for British racing.
‘’The Tote is proud to be the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s most significant commingling partner and we look forward to continuing to work with Newbury and all racecourses hosting World Pool racedays in the UK and Ireland in 2025.”
The return of the Hong Kong Garden adds to a plethora of entertainment already in store for attendees on Saturday 17th May, a day which doubles as Newbury Racecourse’s Ladies Day as well as featuring an afterparty with Lovely Laura & DJ Ben Santiago who are jetting in from Ibiza to perform live after racing.
For more information on this year’s BoyleSports Lockinge with Ladies Day, the growth of Newbury Racecourse’s partnership with World Pool and discounted tickets, please visit www.newburyracecourse.co.uk.
