Total pari-mutuel wagering on the Nov. 4-5 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Churchill Downs was at least $183 million, according to the latest figures released by Breeders’ Cup.
The organization reported Nov. 9 that exchange wagering through Great Britain-based Betfair totaled $25.1 million, up from $23 million for the 2010 World Championships.
In addition, the following countries reported separate-pool pari-mutuel handle: Australia, $514,529, up from $361,151 in 2010; Italy, $621,942 ($412,974 last year); and Mexico, $1,354,015, an increase of 14% from 2010, according to Breeders’ Cup.
Other countries, including France and Turkey, which last year each handle more than $1 million in separate pools, haven’t reported the figures at this time.
Last year’s total handle—commingled and separate pools—topped $196 million.
As reported earlier, the $155,525,947 two-day common-pool handle on the World Championships was down 4.9% from a record $163.6 million last year but up 2% from $153.3 million in 2009 when the event was held at Santa Anita Park.
Officials said common-pool wagering on this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) was $18,267,484, higher than in 2009 total but down 27.6% from $25,251,382 in 2010 when then-undefeated Zenyatta competed in the Classic.
With an additional race—the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint—a record 173 horses started in 15 races. Breeders’ Cup reported that 27 of the starters were from outside North America
Of the 15 winners, 11 were bred in Kentucky, two in Ireland, one in Callifornia, and one in Florida.
The 2012 World Championships is scheduled for Nov. 2-3 at Santa Anita in Southern California.
