World Pool returns to UK and Ireland with expanded 2025 fixture list

World Pool’s 2025 UK and Irish season got under way on Saturday 3 May with 2000 Guineas Day at Newmarket, which also marked the start of a second running of the World Pool Jockeys’ Championship.

The championship awards points to winning jockeys based on the World Pool dividend across all UK and Irish World Pool races run this season, running through to British Champions Day at Ascot on 18 October. Last year’s inaugural championship was won by Billy Loughnane, who finished more than 90 points ahead of runner-up Oisin Murphy after a standout ride on Rashabar in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Loughnane donated his £50,000 prize to The Christy Lambe Foundation, a mental health charity.

New fixtures added

This season’s calendar has been expanded, with all races on Lockinge Stakes Day at Newbury on 17 May now included in World Pool coverage. The Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh on 24 May will be globally pooled for the first time, becoming the first Irish World Pool fixture of the year. The race has featured in the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities’ Top 100 Group 1 rankings for the past two years.

World Pool coverage continues the following day at the Curragh for Tattersalls Gold Cup Day, before returning to the UK for Derby Stakes Day at Epsom on 7 June. Royal Ascot, marking six years since World Pool’s launch there in 2019, will again see all 35 races across the meeting included.

Jockey Ryan Moore has been named as a World Pool ambassador for 2025, offering insight into his rides and wider racing topics on World Pool days. Moore’s Derby win last year aboard City Of Troy, trained by Aidan O’Brien, was named World Pool Moment of the Day and later chosen as Moment of the Year, with groom David Hickey receiving a VIP trip to Hong Kong. Meetings with five or more races will continue to award a Moment of the Day, with the winning groom receiving £4,000 or €4,500.

Growth in turnover

Since its 2019 launch, World Pool has contributed more than £50 million to British and Irish racecourses. Total turnover for the 2024 season reached HK$4.6 billion, around £455 million.

Sam Nati, head of commingling at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said the 2025 season builds on previous years with new fixtures and the return of the Jockeys’ Championship, adding that international fans would be keen to hear from ambassador Ryan Moore.

Alex Frost, chief executive of the UK Tote Group, said the organisation was looking forward to working with UK and international partners to demonstrate the value of World Pool to racing fans and the wider sport.

Figures from the 2024 season showed Tote Win beat the industry starting price in 55% of races, with a £1 stake on every UK and Irish World Pool winner returning £207.86 compared with the same bet at industry SP.

Nick Mills, chief executive of Racecourse Media Group, and Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of the Curragh, also welcomed the expanded schedule, with Kavanagh noting that four Curragh fixtures will now be included in World Pool this year.