Commingled races increased from seven in 2025 to ten (Race 3 to Race 12 inclusive); G1 Cape Town Met and G1 Majorca Stakes feature
World Pool returns to Kenilworth on 31 January for Cape Town Met Day, the fifth year the Hong Kong Jockey Club-powered pools have been in operation on one of South Africa’s biggest race days.
This year three more races on the card will be commingled, taking the total to 10 races (Race 3 to Race 12) that will be available to bet on for World Pool customers in 27 jurisdictions.
Headlining the card is the feature G1 Cape Town Met, which was won last year by Eight On Eighteen, who surged home under Richard Fourie to land trainer Justin Snaith a third straight win in the R5,000,000 (approx. HK$2,450,000) contest.
Eight On Eighteen is back to defend his crown this year and will face a strong field of 10 rivals, including The Real Prince and See It Again, who finished first and third respectively in the G1 King’s Plate on the first of this year’s World Pool fixtures, King’s Plate Day on 10 January.
The G1 Majorca Stakes, which will also be commingled, has attracted a field of 13, among them previous G1 winners Double Grand Slam, Fatal Flaw, Mia Moo and Quickstepgal.
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-winning jockey Rene Piechulek will take the ride on Gimme What I Want, while the German rider will be aboard The Equator in the Cape Town Met.
Alongside the two top-level contests, three G3s – Western Cape Stayers, Summer Fling Stakes and the HKJC World Pool Politician Stakes – the Listed Olympic Duel Stakes and four handicaps will also be available to World Pool customers.
For a third time this year, a World Pool Moment of the Day will be chosen from the 10 races on the day, with the winning groom and stable staff taking home a cheque for R100,000 (approx. HK$40,000).
The winners will also join stable staff of 2026 World Pool Moment of the Day winners Kingdundee and Well Written in the World Pool Moment of the Year competition for the chance to win a VIP trip for four to Hong Kong next year.
Five World Pool bet types – Win, Place, Quinella, Quinella Place (Swinger) and Forecast (Exacta)* – will be offered on the racing from Kenilworth.
*Not every partner is taking all these bet-types so please refer to latest information by the operator(s) in your region.
Following the action in South Africa, World Pool will return to Australia for the G1 Lightning Stakes on 14 February, and then on Saudi Cup Day on 15 February.
For the full World Pool fixtures up to March 2026, please visit here.
