THE Curragh could be in line for more World Pool revenue in 2024.

World Pool is a collaboration between global totes and the Hong Kong Jockey Club [HKJC]. It allows bettors from all over the globe to bet into a single pool. Racecourses who are fortunate enough to have a raceday covered by World Pool can expect to receive a dividend in the region of €500,000. That’s the approximate figure believed to have been earned by both the Curragh and Leopardstown following the inclusion of Irish Derby day and Irish Champion Stakes day in the 2023 World Pool series.

Horse Racing Ireland [HRI] chief executive Suzanne Eade and Curragh CEO Brian Kavanagh are in Hong Kong this weekend and they are understood to be meeting with HKJC and World Pool officials to discuss the possibility of adding more Irish racedates to the 2024 World Pool schedule. The Curragh, as host to all bar two Group 1 races in Ireland, is best placed to take advantage.

Speaking at the HRI Awards, HRI chairman Nicky Hartery said: “We have two World Pool days and hopefully in the next couple of weeks we could have additions to that.”