World Pool has appointed French jockey Mickaël Barzalona as a brand ambassador on August 12, 2026. The agreement expands the roster of racing representatives for the Hong Kong Jockey Club's international betting platform.
Barzalona, currently retained by Aga Khan Stud, brings a career record that includes multiple Group 1 victories. His achievements feature wins on Calandagan and Daryz, the winner of the 2025 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Under the new arrangement, the jockey will produce blogs and race analysis leading up to major French race meetings.
He will also provide commentary for World Pool events and participate in promotional campaigns, joining Ryan Moore in the ambassador programme.
Partnership with PMU and Strategic Goals
World Pool operates under the Hong Kong Jockey Club and aggregates pari-mutuel betting pools from various jurisdictions. The "World Pool by PMU" initiative allows selected French race meetings to reach international audiences, with pools hosted by PMU. Barzalona stated that the partnership aims to showcase French racing to a wider audience and share insights with fans in Hong Kong and globally.
Andrew Harding, Executive Director of Racing at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, noted that Barzalona’s status as a French Champion Jockey and winner of international Group 1s makes him a suitable representative for the brand.