How Horse Racing Has Embraced Technological Innovations

Technology has changed all facets of life and sport has been no different, enjoying the benefits of the data revolution. Horse racing and bettors on the sport have benefited more than the most as technological innovations have changed perspectives on how performance and conditions on the ground are valued.

In the past, people had to rely on the opinions of others in the horse racing field to determine which competitors to bet on based on form and the elements.

However, technology has removed some of the grey areas from the sport, presenting cold hard facts to aid horse racing betting with Paddy Power for Cheltenham Festival among other leading events such as Epsom Derby and Royal Ascot. This is thanks to the numerous statistics made available along with live streaming to see the action yourself using the betting site and app.

We’ll now look at where technology has improved the sport and wagering on races the most over the last 20 years.

Tracking Software

Horses are now fitted with tracking software on their bodies, which allows data capture of their speeds around the track that is crucial for monitoring their standard of performance. Trainers can now utilise this software to know what their horses’ strengths and weaknesses are on certain aspects of racing.

They can then use this knowledge in combination with their own skill and the nous of their respective jockeys to attempt to get the optimum performance out of their horse on race day. It also is useful from a fitness perspective to ensure that the horse is operating at the peak of its powers in time for race day. If not, the trainer then has the information at hand to ensure the safety of the horse by removing them from the contest.

Grounding

The quality of the ground is a crucial element in horse racing. It can make the difference between success and failure depending on its quality. In the past, judgments would have to be made by the ground staff based on their own expertise of the ground and the elements.

However, there are now specialist tools available that can be deployed into the ground such as the GoingStick, which is used across the length of the racecourse to determine with a high level of accuracy the quality of the turf. It is vital not only for bettors, who will have their own verdicts about which horses will perform the best based on the type of grounding, but also for trainers and owners to make late decisions regarding whether or not to place their charges in the race.

Mobile Devices

Perhaps the most important innovation of all that has changed the landscape of horse racing forever has been access to the internet and mobile devices. In the past, you would have to study a newspaper or a dedicated horse racing provider to gain all the information you need before betting on a race. Now, all that information is at hand on your phone or mobile device, allowing you to consume that data on your browser or app before opening up another app to lodge your bet. Gone are the days when you would have to run to the betting shop or stand in order to place a wager.

Looking Ahead

There will no doubt be further innovations in the future in the world of mainstream technology that will be adapted for horse racing, including artificial intelligence that is becoming readily available for both trainers and punters to inform their decisions on raceday. There are also marked improvements on the sophistication of weather tracking software to predict when and where rain will appear at racecourses across the globe and whether it will play an impact on leading races.

Of course technology in the medical field will improve the safety of horses due to the improvement in MRI scanners and ultrasounds that will be able to detect issues with speed and precision. Horse racing has embraced technology and will continue to do so in the future for the betterment of the sport as a whole.