BC Simulcasts in Hong Kong Not Likely in 2015
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There's a good chance no races that are part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships will be simulcast to Hong Kong this year, officials said.
"There's nothing official yet but it's not likely," Breeders' Cup chief operating officer Bob Elliston said July 31.
The lucrative Hong Kong market last year had access to two Breeders' Cup races primarily because the top Hong Kong sprinter Rich Tapestry raced in the Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park. It marked the first time since 2010 the Hong Kong Jockey Club imported any of the World Championships for betting purposes.
"Last year was the first time in five years," Elliston said. "It was probably an anomaly because of Rich Tapestry."
The HKJC last year imported the Sprint and Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT). Pari-mutuel handle on the two races totaled about $3 million in U.S. funds in separate pools.
The HKJC has strict limits on the number of international races it can simulcast, and time-zone differences are another barrier for access by the United States. For instance, if this year's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I)—the final race on the program—at Keeneland goes off at about 5:30 p.m. EDT Saturday, Oct. 31, it would be 5:30 a.m. Sunday in Hong Kong.
Pat Cummings, executive director of public affairs (racing) for the HKJC, noted the limits on foreign simulcasts and that no Hong Kong horses are planning to compete in any Breeders' Cup races.
"Adding the Breeders' Cup races back in the future remains a possibility," he said.
Breeders' Cup has made inroads in other foreign countries, primarily in Europe, where its races can be broadcast in the late afternoon and evening hours.