British Champions Day bonanza helps World Pool to new high with £50m staked across three meetings on Saturday

World Pool recorded its highest one-day turnover on Saturday with nearly £50 million (€60m) wagered across 12 races at Ascot, Caulfield and Randwick.

A total of £48m was bet by punters in 28 countries into a commingled tote pool, with nearly half the volume – £19.75m – being staked on the six races at Ascot on Qipco British Champions Day alone.

The total amount bet into the pool surpassed the previous record set this year when 12 races from Queensland and Epsom on Derby day produced turnover of £38m.

Michael Fitzsimons, executive director of wagering products at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “Saturday’s action certainly got the pulse racing. The big-field Group 1 contests from Randwick, Caulfield and Ascot lined up a perfect day of action for punters across the globe and we’re delighted to see turnover hit a new record high.

“It was only World Pool’s second ever three-fixture composite card and it was hugely encouraging the action from Australia and the UK really caught the attention of our global customers, showing the extent of interest in top-class racing across the globe.”

Champions Day at Ascot marked the conclusion of the inaugural UK & Ireland World Pool Jockeys’ Championship, with Billy Loughnane finishing clear of Oisin Murphy in the standings.

Billy Loughnane after winning the Coventry Stakes on RashabarCredit: Patrick McCann

The championship awards winning jockeys points based on the World Pool win dividend and Loughnane took top slot after guiding Rashabar to success at 129.90 in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The 18-year-old was able to donate £50,000 to a charity of his choice, with the money going to the Christy Lambe Foundation, which raises funds and creates awareness for charities focused on mental health support, accommodation and helping people back into work.

Loughnane said: “I’m very grateful to World Pool for this prize. It’s a significant amount of money and I’m honoured to be able to donate it to the Christy Lambe Foundation.

“The Christy Lambe Foundation was only set up two years ago and this money will be very important. The charity works to help people struggling with mental health and poverty, and it’s a cause that’s close to my heart as Christy’s oldest brother Michael is my sponsor through his company Lambe Construction.”

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