The Saudi Cup to be a World Pool Event

Sports Information Services (SIS) has entered into an agreement with the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) for six races on the US$31.5 million Saudi Cup race meeting hosted at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Feb. 25 to become a HKJC World Pool event.

Established in 2019, The Saudi Cup race day has solidified itself on the global racing calendar with horses from 15 countries planning to participate this year. The feature race, the US$20 million G1 Saudi Cup, will showcase last year’s top-two finishers in Emblem Road (Quality Road) and Country Grammar (Tonalist).

The HKJC will host the wagering pools on races three through eight on Saudi Cup Day, giving bettors access to the biggest international commingled pools in the world. SIS will coordinate the commercial arrangements with global pool operators. Historically, North America has been the largest participant in the Saudi Cup Day pools and this deal not only benefits that market with increased liquidity from Hong Kong, but attracts additional operators from France, the United Kingdom and Ireland, who join existing operators from Germany, Netherlands, Brazil, Peru and Panama.

“The Saudi Cup is a race that has already firmly established itself in the racing calendar and we are thrilled to have this meeting as part of the World Pool. We aim to include the best international racing events within the World Pool schedule, so it makes sense for the Saudi Cup to join the roster in 2023,” Sam Nati, HKJC’s Head of Commingling, said.

The first race will be at 3:45 p.m. AST [7:45 a.m. EST].

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