News from the Tote - May 2021
Introduction
Welcome to the May update from the Tote about our latest developments.
This month’s update focuses on exciting news about more World Pool days, the continued roll out of Tote+ (Tote Plus) and Tote Ten to Follow.
As ever we are very grateful to the team at the ROA for sharing these updates on our behalf.
If you have any further questions, or areas you would like to discuss with us in more detail, please email our Communications and Corporate Affairs Director, Susannah Gill, on [email protected].
British racing set for 17 World Pool days in 2021
Along with leading British racecourses and media rights partners, we have worked closely with the Hong Kong Jockey Club which has confirmed the following World Pool events on British racedays for 2021:
- QIPCO 2000 Guineas Day – Newmarket Rowley Mile Racecourse, Saturday 1st May*
- Cazoo Derby Day – Epsom Downs Racecourse, Saturday 5th June*
- Five days of Royal Ascot – Ascot Racecourse, Tuesday 15th to Saturday 19th June
- Coral-Eclipse Day – Sandown Park Racecourse, Saturday 3rd July*
- QIPCO King George Diamond Day – Ascot Racecourse, Saturday 24th July*
- The first three days of the Qatar Goodwood Festival - Goodwood Racecourse, Tuesday 27th July to Thursday 29th July*
- Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Day – Ascot Racecourse, Saturday 7th August*
- The first three days of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival – York Racecourse, Wednesday 18th to Friday 20th August*
- QIPCO British Champions Day – Ascot Racecourse, Saturday 16th October
The increased number of simulcast meetings (and by extension World Pool meetings) was approved by the Hong Kong Government in February and sees the number of days increase by 14 days, to a total of 37 days this year.
World Pool ensures there are larger and deeper pools, smoothing pricing and driving an increase in value for customers, as racing fans from around the world bet into a single pool. World Pool at Royal Ascot in 2019 saw pools grow by over 400% to £92.2 million, and last year there was a further 50% increase to £137 million. The increased liquidity from a global customer base helped create greater value for Tote customers with the pool price beating the Starting Price (SP) by 32% in 2019 and 9% in 2020.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “This underscores another important achievement made by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Tote, as well as their partners across British racing in ensuring racing fans around the world can bet on some of the best days in the flat racing calendar via World Pool. The extra World Pool days across the summer will also strengthen our efforts in effectively addressing the illegal gambling issues in Hong Kong as it will help to prevent illegal and offshore bookmakers from luring Hong Kong residents to bet on overseas races during the off-season. We look forward to continuing to work with all in British racing to refine, develop and promote World Pool in the months and years ahead.”
John Williamson, Chairman of the UK Tote Group, said: “We are delighted to work with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and our partners in British and Irish racing to ensure the sport benefits from World Pool events. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and the Hong Kong Jockey Club team for their leadership and cooperation. Their pioneering approach to innovating the pool betting offering for racing fans around the world is truly outstanding. This provides us with a significant opportunity to showcase British and Irish racing to an international audience.”
William Haggas, leading trainer, said: “It is very exciting to see the number of World Pool events expanded on British racing. I know from having runners all over the world how well respected and admired British racing is but we must work together to increase revenue streams to support prize money levels and ensure the long-term sustainability of the sport. Crucially, World Pool provides the sport with the best opportunity to increase betting revenue and showcase our racing to a global fan base.”
Full details can be read here: https://www.uktotegroup.com/british-racing-set-for-17-world-pool-days-in-2021
Continued roll out of Tote+ (Tote Plus)
Last month we launched Tote+ (Tote Plus) which provides a 10% dividend enhancement to all customers betting direct on tote.co.uk.
Tote+ is available everyday across single and multileg bets placed on all UK and Irish races. There is no cap on the stake a customer can place to receive the Tote+ enhancement and it applies to all standard dividends over 1.20. For example, if the Scoop6 has a million-pound dividend, Tote+ customers will be paid £1.1m (£1m + £100,000 extra). If the Placepot pays £438, Tote+ customers will receive £481.80 (£438 + £43.80 extra).
Tote+ is ensuring the pool Win price beats the Industry Starting Price (SP) about 60% of the time. On average, the Tote is one point better in value (i.e. if you were getting 7/1 the Tote is now paying 8/1).
At the same time, Tote Guarantee remains in place which ensures the Tote will always match the industry Starting Price (SP) or exceed it if the pool price is bigger on all Win bets.
Tote+ is available on the Tote website, on the Tote App and at tote.ie for Irish customers.
Tote Ten to Follow
The Tote Ten to Follow jumps competition was won by Tipperwood, aka Robert Lynch, who took home £104,832 and said on the Tote blog: “You could have £50 on a horse and within three minutes your money is gone, but with the Ten To Follow, you pay your fiver and you’ve got from November to April to keep you entertained.” Lydia Hislop won the £10,000 charity league splitting her winnings between Cystinosis Ireland and Crisis UK.
The 2021 Flat competition have over 14,000 stables with a top prize in the paid league of over £17,000 and monthly prizes through the summer of over £1,800.
In our next update in June we’ll reflect on the World Pool days at the Derby and Royal Ascot and look ahead to the rest of the flat season.