Sport is evolving in this modern day, with all utilising the tech that is available. Few have seamlessly made the transition as well as horse racing, with limited teething problems discovered and the sport as a product being able to thrive.
This has seen attendance figures for the world’s most popular races continue to increase, with a huge number of newcomers looking to sign up at a leading sportsbook such as TwinSpires to claim a leading welcome offer.
But, what are some of the technological advances that have been implemented in horse racing, and what impact are they having on the sport?
Data-Driven Training
While most sports rely on data, it is most essential in horse racing, as the metrics are key in determining how a horse is performing. Therefore, data-driven training has been prominent due to the advancements in technology, with connections and trainers able to closely monitor the performances of horses due to wearable sensors.
This helps trainers to assess the heart rate, respiratory rate, and recovery times in real-time. All this information is essential to get an accurate reading surrounding how a horse is performing on track. It is also essential to identify any potential lingering issues, as a poor performance or metrics could point toward something being amiss.
Therefore, as well as getting to train an equine more accurately, it has also been pivotal in improving welfare within the sport. Tools such as Equimetrics and Arioneo are commonplace in yards across the world in this modern day, with the systems able to tailor plans for horses using data, including work out plans and diets.
The tools enable a second perspective on a horse rather than relying on the trainer’s personal feeling toward a runner.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been one of the buzz trends in the modern era, with all sectors being quick to adapt to the tech in order to get the best possible results.
AI has already become an integral part of modern day horse racing, making decision-making across a number of areas more streamlined. This includes the breeding operation, as AI can be used to analyze and predict performance of a future runner based on the five generations of data that is available.
This is also important in safeguarding potential yearlings, as the AI is capable of taking into account the health conditions of sires and dams. Due to this AI is being used regularly by buyers in this modern day to ensure that big-money purchases at the sales have a better chance of returning prize money.
On track, AI is also vitally important in this modern day in terms of improving animal welfare. The tech is used in partnership with sensors, finding key data that could point toward something being amiss. AI is able to pick up on potential issues impacting a horses performance levels before they are evident from the naked eye, improving the injury prevention within the sport.
This includes flagging up horses that are showing potential signs of lameness and fatigue, enabling trainers to react to the data immediately to get the help that the equines require.
Smart Tracks
Keeping equines safe while they are in action on the track is essential in securing the long-term future of the sport. Therefore, Live Tracking using GPS and RFID is essential in safeguarding those involved. RaceIQ and Trakus are commonly used to track horses, enabling those watching to get precise information surrounding their positioning and travelling speed.
These in-running analytics are key when reviewing races, as they could help trainers to identify a potential area of improvement. Advanced sensors are also used in modern day racing to monitor the track conditions, ensuring that there is the most accurate read possible on the ‘going’.
This ensures that the best possible decision can be made by connections with the welfare of the horse in mind. Track data is also important for bosses at racecourses, as it could pinpoint areas of risk that should be addressed to improve welfare.
This could point out high-risk areas for improvement, and also suggestions that could make the track safer. Data played a big role in the sweeping changes made to the Grand National, with the world’s most famous race now consisting of a smaller field size and less ground being covered before the first fence.
What Future Trends Could Await?
Horse racing is a sport that is constantly evolving, meaning that new tech trends are expected to be implemented over the next 20 years. Among these include Ethical Tracking, enabling a biometric score being available when breeding horses.
It is also likely that AI will continue to play an important role within the sport, with the tech likely to be used by trainers when assessing the best rider for their horse, and even by jockeys to help their decision-making process in big races.
