International focus on Ellerslie through World Pool

[Wandering Eyes]

After World Pool made its first appearance in New Zealand last year, the TAB Karaka Millions meeting on Saturday took betting on the meeting to another level.

Powered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, World Pool accepts bets from the HKJC’s overseas partners, creating the deepest and most liquid pari-mutuel pools for international top races.

With customers from at least 25 participating countries and regions around the world wagering into a single pool, World Pool hosted betting on all six races at Saturday’s meeting, ensuring a 71% uplift in turnover on the meeting. The TAB Karaka Millions 2YO was the stand-out performer, with an 11% increase on last year’s edition.

It was a big weekend for World Pool fixtures, with the Al Maktoum Challenge Day at Meydan and the Centenary Sprint Cup & Stewards Cup’ meeting at Sha Tin also covered.

World Pool returns to Ellerslie for New Zealand Derby Day aka Champions Day on Saturday, 7 March.

On a broader level, Entain NZ reported a seven per cent growth in racing turnover on NZ thoroughbreds in November/December of 2025 as compared to the previous year. It has grown to $121.6 million.

Total racing turnover across all codes across those two months, both locally and overseas, was $416.8 million, while active racing customers grew from 142,097 in Nov/Dec 2024 to 157,158 in the same two months in 2025.

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