Wagering on Dubai Racing Reaches All-Time High
PROSPECT, KENTUCKY, April 10, 2012—Wagering throughout the Western Hemisphere on the Dubai World Cup program, as administered by Prospect, Kentucky-based AmWest Entertainment, reached a new all-time record high this year of $5.1-million.
Total betting in North and South America and the Caribbean on seven Thoroughbred races, headlined by the $10-million Dubai World Cup (G1), rose 19.5% from the amount wagered on the same seven races in 2011. The average wagered per race was approximately $728,500 with first post time at 9:10 a.m. EDT on March 31.
Another record was established by combined handle from the Dubai World Cup program and the Dubai World Cup Carnival, the 15-day international festival that began on
January 5 and extended through March 17, which was up 9% from 2011 totals. That record was reached despite unprecedented early post times, set in Dubai, for some days that equated to a challenging 6 a.m. for East Coast players and even earlier for others across the Americas.
A third all-time record was set on Super Saturday, the prep day for the Dubai World Cup program that featured five rich group stakes including two Group 1 events. Wagering on Super Saturday, March 10, grew by 14.6% compared to 2011 totals for what had been a Super Thursday card.
“We are very proud to have set new records this year for wagering on Dubai racing, which is the epitome of outstanding international competition,” said AmWest Chief Executive Officer Nelson Clemmens, who attended the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. “Our strong promotional programs that support elite global racing are generating new revenue for racing and horsemen in the United States, Canada and other regions of the Americas through handle while offering players superior racing and wagering action with full fields of exceptional runners and formful racing.”
“It's very encouraging to see U.S. fans continuing to be so interested in the Dubai World Cup, and the record figures are a tribute to the work AmWest has put into promoting the Dubai World Cup Carnival and the big day itself and a reflection of the strength of the product generated by the top class racing from Meydan,” said Terry Spargo, who oversees worldwide broadcasting of Dubai racing.
Following its record Dubai season, AmWest Entertainment soon will publicly launch its revolutionary wagering platform at www.AmWager.com, which features the industry’s most advanced betting features and functions for both professional and casual players.
For more information, contact: AmWest CEO Nelson Clemmens, 502-292-1075