Setting the standard: how Podium powers betting integrity at Royal Ascot and beyond

With Sam Wilson, Director of Operations at Podium

In the fast-paced world of betting and horse racing, trust in data is everything. Without accuracy, there’s no confidence—for bookmakers, for punters, or for the industry at large. At Podium, our mission is to ensure that trust is never in doubt. Nowhere is this more visible than at major festivals like Royal Ascot.

The Engine Behind the Industry

While Royal Ascot the event grabs the media headlines each June, the work that powers its betting ecosystem happens quietly in the background. For years, Podium has provided the backbone of horse racing data infrastructure in the UK, supporting all racing events—not just the big-name festivals. From early morning meetings at Southwell to the spectacle of Ascot and Cheltenham, our commitment to precision and integrity doesn’t change.

We work hand-in-hand with rightsholders, bookmakers, the Starting Price Regulatory Commission (SPRC), and the BHA to ensure data is timely, accurate, and delivered exactly where it needs to be. It’s this seamless orchestration that makes our core data-driven Pulse service indispensable.

Before, During, and After Every Race

Our involvement begins weeks before race day. The Podium Pre-Race team collates and manages a continuous stream of updates—runners, riders, amendments, withdrawals—all of which builds into the final racecard. This isn’t just admin; it’s the DNA of the racing product. Our Editorial team adds another layer, crafting expert comments, verdicts, and tipping content relied upon by newspapers, bookmakers, broadcasters, and punters alike.

Then comes race day. This is where the Pulse platform truly comes into its own. Our Race Day Data (RDD) team manages betting shows, market movements, live race statuses, and—most crucially—the Starting Prices (SPs). For every single race, we deploy two specialists: a Race Day Manager (RDM) and a Starting Price Validator (SPV), who work in lockstep with BHA officials and an on-course Podium representative to ensure data accuracy in real time. It’s a system built for reliability, even in the face of technical disruption. No amount of automation could replace the validation and data integrity that is borne out of this coordinated approach.

Royal Ascot: The Spotlight Moment

Royal Ascot is a major moment in the sporting calendar, and while it may feel like the Super Bowl of flat racing, for us, it’s just another day of doing things right. Our systems, workflows, and people are built to perform under pressure, and that consistency is what makes us trusted partners for so many in the industry.

The People Behind the Product

Our technology is powerful—but it’s our people who make the difference. The team at Podium is made up of dedicated, passionate professionals who live and breathe racing. They’re the unsung heroes behind the smooth delivery of race data that powers millions in betting turnover.

I couldn’t be prouder of the work we do. From data capture to editorial excellence, from technical resilience to on-course presence—Podium is the quiet force ensuring that every race, every bet, and every result is underpinned by trust.

At Royal Ascot and every meeting in between, Podium delivers. Because in racing, there’s no room for doubt.