It’s the Al Shaqab Lockinge with Ladies Day at Newbury, and in celebrating the new Hong Kong Garden it’s also the partnership with the HKJC World Pool.
To mark World Pool’s increased presence, Newbury will be celebrating the very best of Hong Kong, from music to culinary delights, and a live performance from reality TV star Albert Chau.
‘’We’re thrilled to introduce the new Hong Kong Garden for this year’s Al Shaqab Lockinge with Ladies Day to mark our partnership with World Pool”, said Mark Leigh the interim CEO at Newbury.
‘’The Al Shaqab Lockinge is renowned for the breadth of entertainment it offers racegoers and this year’s edition promises even more excitement, so we’re looking forward to that’s in store.’’
With the Al Shaqab Lockinge being Newbury’s premier Flat fixture, this year the World Pool has expand to five races with the largest globally commingled horse racing pools created by the HKJC.
On the track it’s the cream of Europe’s older milers who return for the Group 1 Al Asaqab Lockinge Stakes, with France’s former World Champion Miler Big Rock heading a field of 11 runner.
Quoted as $2.75 race favourite with various betting agencies, Big Rock will again be ridden by Aurelien Lemaitre for new trainer Maurizio Guarnieri, and last won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
With Frankie Dettori on duty at Pimlico with Imagination in the Preakness Stakes, its Kieran Shoemark who now rides the $3.25-shot Inspiral as new stable jockey for John and Thady Gosden.
As a last-start winner of the Breeders’ Cup F&M Turf, it was Kieran Shoemark who said “It’s my biggest ride yet in the job, without a doubt and Inspiral is an exceptional mare who is proven.”
And in taking over from Frankie Dettori “Frankie is Frankie and they are big boots to fill, but I speak to him before all the good rides and he’s a great sounding board of good advice and tips.”
However, with trainer Roger Varian having Champion Hong Kong jockey Silvestre de Sousa claim the 1000 Guineas on Elmalka, he now partners Charyn at $5 in the £400,000 Al Shaqab Lockinge.
On winning the Doncaster Mile on day one of the season, Silvestre added “Charyn ran a lot of big races last year and they say he’s a bigger and stronger horse this time.”
“Only time will tell if he can win a Group 1 this time, but he’s a good, willing partner and I’m thrilled to keep the ride after winning the Listed at Doncaster and the Group 2 at Sandown.”
Again, the seven bet types of Win, Place, Exacta, Trifecta, Quinella, Swinger and Treble will be in-play at Newbury Racecourse with the World Pool in partnership with UK and global Totes.
“The likes of Shaquille and Warm Heart were both winners on the Al Shaqab Lockinge undercard last year,” said Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director, Wagering Products of the HK Jockey Club.
“So, we’re pleased to bring more of the quality racing from Newbury into the World Pool in 2024, and the Hong Kong-themed entertainment that Newbury Racecourse is putting on is fun.”
Alex Frost, Chief Executive of the UK Tote Group went onto say “It is fantastic to see Newbury celebrating the culture of Hong Kong on what is set to be an excellent day of racing,”
“It’s important to recognise that international co-operation is at the heart of World Pool and essential to the further growth and success of this important revenue stream for British racing.”
