The Racecourse will feature a brand-new Hong Kong Garden – which will play host to a live performance from reality TV star Albert Chau – at the Al Shaqab Lockinge with Ladies Day on Saturday 18^th May

Newbury Racecourse’s premier Flat fixture – the Al Shaqab Lockinge – will feature a new Hong Kong Garden on Saturday 18^th May as the Racecourse’s partnership with World Pool grows.

Last year’s Al Shaqab Lockinge saw two of the raceday’s seven race card feature as World Pool races with this set to expand to five races in 2024 as the Racecourse aligns more closely with the largest globally commingled horse racing pools created and powered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

To mark World Pool’s increased presence at Newbury – and its origins – the Racecourse will be celebrating the very best of Hong Kong, from music to culinary delights, throughout this year’s Al Shaqab Lockinge and alongside Ladies Day.

This celebration will focus on a new Hong Kong Garden which will play host to a range of entertainment, music, dance, live performances and themed food and drink – all bringing the very best of Hong Kong to Newbury’s racegoers.

The highlight will be performances from Albert Chau – the inaugural winner of Midlife, Sing and Shine, a TVB talent competition run on terrestrial TV in Hong Kong – who will be performing live from the Hong Kong Garden throughout the day.

Mark Leigh, interim CEO at Newbury Racecourse, said: ‘’We’re thrilled to introduce the new Hong Kong Garden for this year’s Al Shaqab Lockinge with Ladies Day to mark and celebrate the growth of our partnership with World Pool.

‘’The Al Shaqab Lockinge is renowned for the breadth of entertainment it offers racegoers and this year’s edition promises even more excitement; we’re looking forward to everything’s that in store.’’

World Pool – created and powered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club in partnership with the UK Tote – enables bettors from all over the globe to bet into a single pool. The result is significant liquidity and a multi-million-pound betting experience.

World Pool is accessed via the UK Tote. Bets can be placed on World Pool events at the racecourse, online at tote.co.uk– or tote.ie for Irish customers – as well as at the Tote App or via bookmakers, the majority of whom accept Tote bets online and in shops. The seven bet types in World Pool are:

• Win (Single Leg bet) – Pick the winner of the race
• Place (Single Leg bet) – Pick a horse to be placed. Hong Kong place terms apply
• Exacta (Single Leg bet) – Pick the first two horses in the correct order
• Trifecta (Single Leg bet) – Also known as the Tierce. Select the winner, the second, and the third horse in the correct order
• Quinella (Single Leg bet) – Select the first two finishers in either order
• Swinger (Single Leg bet) – Also known as the Quinella Place, pick two horses to finish first, second or third in any order
• Treble (Multi Leg bet) – Pick the first horse in the last three races

Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director, Wagering Products of the HKJC, said: “The likes of Shaquille and Warm Heart were both winners on the Al Shaqab Lockinge undercard last year, so we’re pleased to be able to bring more of the quality racing from Newbury into World Pool in 2024.

“The Hong Kong-themed entertainment that Newbury Racecourse is putting on is a fun initiative to attract a wider audience to the races too, and we’re sure the racegoers will really enjoy it.”

Alex Frost, Chief Executive of the UK Tote Group, said: “It is fantastic to see Newbury celebrating the culture of Hong Kong on what is set to be an excellent day of racing. It is important to recognise that international cooperation is at the heart of World Pool and essential to the further growth and success of this important revenue stream for British racing. We look forward to supporting and working with Newbury and all racecourses hosting World Pool racedays in the UK and Ireland in 2024.”

The announcement of the new Hong Kong Garden adds to a plethora of entertainment already in store for attendees at the Al Shaqab Lockinge with the day doubling as Newbury Racecourse’s Ladies Day as well as featuring an afterparty with Lovely Laura & DJ Ben Santiago who are jetting in from Ibiza to perform after racing.

Tickets for the Al Shaqab Lockinge are currently available at the discounted Advance rate – priced from just £30 for Adults while Under 18s go free – and can be purchased via the link below or 01635 40015.

BUY TICKETS

Newbury Racecourse’s on-site station and free parking means it couldn’t be easier to get to the Racecourse to enjoy everything on offer on Saturday 18^th May.