Betting on Irish horse races through Hong Kong global gambling market an exciting new revenue stream for industry

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The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby was the first Curragh meeting to be included in the HK betting market last year. Photo: Inpho/Morgan Treacy

Fearghal O'Connor

All eyes may be on the Curragh for the Irish Derby next weekend but some of the most serious betting action will be in far-away Hong Kong.

Last year, over HK$210 million (€25m) was bet on the Irish Derby and other races through the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s global betting market World Pool, which offers major international racing – including a number of major Irish races – to punters across Asia.