THE Curragh has secured another lucrative spot in the World Pool calendar with the news that the Irish 1000 Guineas and Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup on May 26th will, for the first time, be part of the largest globally commingled horse racing pools created and powered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

The 1000 Guineas at Newmarket has also been added to the World Pool schedule for 2024.

Punters from 28 countries will be able to be into the same pools for these races.

It’s understood that participating racecourses can earn approximately €500,000 when an entire card has World Pool status. The Curragh (Irish Derby) and Leopardstown (Irish Champion Stakes) are already benefitting from being part of the World Pool schedule and the addition of two more Group 1 races should generate a six-figure sum for the Curragh.

In total, there will be 21 World Pool fixtures in the first six months of 2024, including today’s Cape Met day in South Africa, Saudi Cup day (February 24th), Dubai World Cup day (March 30th), Derby day at Epsom (June 1st) as well as all five days of Royal Ascot (June 18th-22nd).

Michael Fitzsimons of the Hong Kong Jockey Club said: “We’re excited to be continuing the expansion of World Pool in 2024 by adding new race days from Australia, South Africa, the UK and Ireland to our growing list of fixtures.

“We want World Pool to be in action for the biggest races throughout the year, so it’s fantastic to add two more historic classics to our roster in 2024, with the English 1000 Guineas and Irish 1000 Guineas joining the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and English 2000 Guineas as World Pool race days.”

Alex Frost, chief executive of the UK Tote Group, said: “It is exciting to see World Pool continuing to expand around the globe in 2024. In what is an increasingly competitive environment, it’s testament to the quality of British and Irish racing that an extra World Pool day has been added in each country for the start of the flat season.

“We look forward to working with all our partners to promote World Pool to racing fans in the UK and Ireland to ensure it continues to offer exceptional value to customers and financially support a sustainable future for the sport.”

Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “It is great to see Irish racing being a key part of the expansion of World Pool, and the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas - together with the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup - from the Curragh being recognised in the plans for 2024.

“World Pool, in partnership with Tote, and the commingling opportunities provided by the Hong Kong Jockey Club has been a key enabler in supporting the health and quality of global racing.”

Curragh CEO Brian Kavanagh said: “We’re very pleased to secure extra World Pool races on Tattersalls Irish Guineas weekend. The Curragh’s first World Pool on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby day went well last year and we are hopeful that we can expand our World Pool offering further in the future.”